#and held my hands and said so so seriously

[st4rpiece]

needing space after an argument

SFW

characters: luffy, zoro, usopp, sanji x reader summary: an argument with the boys puts your relationship on hold CW: angst no comfort, breaking up (sanji), reader gets hurt, and over 600 words each

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Monkey D. Luffy

The Sunny swayed gently on the open sea, the rhythm of the waves doing little to soothe the tension that crackled in the air. The ship’s usual harmony, filled with laughter and chatter, had been shattered by the argument unfolding on deck.

“You’re seriously impossible, Lu!” you snapped, your voice rising in frustration. Your chest heaved as you stared him down, fury blazing in your eyes.

“You keep charging into battle without thinking, and we’re always left picking up the pieces!”

Luffy stood a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest, his straw hat tilted forward. His usual grin—bright and carefree—was nowhere to be seen. Instead, his face was set in a rare, serious frown.

“So what?” he said, his tone almost dismissive. “It worked, didn’t it? We’re fine!”

“Fine?!” you repeated, incredulous, your voice rising an octave.

“Sanji’s limping, Zoro’s covered in bandages, the ship’s a mess, again, and you—” you jabbed a finger toward his chest—“you nearly got yourself killed over some stupid treasure we didn’t even need!”

Luffy threw his arms in the air, his voice growing defensive. “It was shiny! I wanted it!”

You groaned, rubbing your temples as you turned away for a moment, trying to reign in your growing frustration.

“Lu, it’s not about the treasure!” you finally yelled, spinning back toward him.

“It’s about how you never listen to anyone! One day, your recklessness is going to get someone killed!”

The deck fell silent, the rest of the crew lingering nearby, pretending not to eavesdrop as they exchanged wary glances.

Luffy’s jaw tightened at your words, his posture stiffening. His carefree demeanor, the one you had come to rely on, was replaced by something cold and uncharacteristically sharp.

“You’re the only one who seems to always have a problem with the way I do things,” he said, his voice low but cutting.

You froze, staring at him as his words began to sink in.

He took a step closer, his dark eyes burning into yours.

“If the way I run my ship bothers you so much…” He hesitated, as if daring himself to say what came next, but when he spoke again, his tone was firm, biting. “…then maybe you should leave.”

It felt like a slap across the face. The air around you stilled, and for a moment, you couldn’t even process what he had said.

“Luffy,” you said, your voice softer now, as though testing to see if you’d heard him right.

But he didn’t take it back. He just stood there, his face stony, his gaze unreadable.

The silence between you stretched, heavy and unbearable. The rest of the crew watched from their spots, wide-eyed and frozen. Even Zoro, who typically stayed out of these things, had shifted slightly, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana as though bracing for the worst.

You clenched your fists, forcing yourself to swallow past the lump rising in your throat. The sharp sting of his words echoed in your mind, cutting deeper with every passing second. When you finally spoke, your voice was low but steady, masking the turmoil inside you.

“Fine,” you said, the word dropping heavily between you.

Luffy’s eyes widened just enough to show a crack in his hardened expression, but he didn’t speak. He didn’t take it back.

Your voice quivered ever so slightly as you drew in a shaky breath, but you straightened your shoulders, determined not to let him see how deeply his words had cut. “I’ll be gone by tonight,” you said, firm and unwavering despite the ache in your chest.

His breath hitched, and for a split second, his resolve seemed to waver. “No wait—” he said, his voice breaking as he took a step forward, his hand lifting like he was reaching for you.

But you didn’t stop. You turned on your heel and strode toward the stairs, your head held high even as your vision blurred. By the time he worked up the courage to say more, you were already gone, leaving behind a silence even heavier than before.

Roronoa Zoro

The dim glow of the setting sun reflected off the water as you stood on the dock, arms crossed tightly over your chest. The once serene atmosphere was marred by the frustration bubbling inside you as you paced back and forth, stealing glances at the path Zoro should’ve come from an hour ago. The excitement you’d felt earlier now replaced with frustration and disappointment.

Finally, you heard the familiar shuffle of his footsteps, followed by his exasperated grumbling.

“Sorry I’m late,” Zoro muttered as he approached, scratching the back of his neck. His face was impassive, as if showing up an hour after your agreed time wasn’t a big deal.

You exhaled sharply, your patience already frayed. “Late? Zoro, you’re not just late—you’re ridiculously late. Again.”

“I got lost,” he said bluntly, like that was supposed to excuse everything.

“You always get lost,” you shot back, exasperated. “I’m not mad about that—I get it, directions aren’t your thing. But you didn’t think to ask someone for help this time? Or maybe even leave a little earlier?”

Zoro let out a short sigh, his arms crossing over his chest. “What do you want me to do? It’s not like I meant to get lost. I tried.”

“Then maybe next time we can just go together,” you suggested, your voice softening slightly despite your frustration. “That way, we can avoid all this and actually enjoy our dates.”

Your words were meant to be a compromise, a way to avoid another night like this, but Zoro’s face darkened at the suggestion. He scoffed, the sharp sound cutting through the cool evening air.

“Go together?” he repeated, his voice sharp. “What, you think I need you to hold my hand everywhere? I’m not a kid.”

“Zoro,” you blinked, taken aback by the sudden hostility in his tone. “That’s not what I—”

“No seriously,” he cut you off, his voice growing louder. “That need of yours to control everything—it’s annoying.”

You froze. For a moment, it felt like the world had stopped moving, his words hitting you harder than you thought possible.

“Controlling?” you repeated, your voice barely above a whisper. “Annoying?”

Zoro faltered for a moment, his expression shifting as if he hadn’t meant for the word to come out. But instead of apologizing, he doubled down, his jaw tightening. “Yeah,” he muttered, though his voice had lost some of its bite.

Your lips parted as you stared at him, completely thrown. You had only wanted to help, to make things easier—for both of you. But now, he was looking at you like you were the problem.

“I… I didn’t think trying to help you was so annoying,” you said quietly, your voice trembling. “I just didn’t want us to keep missing time together because you—” You stopped yourself, shaking your head as the lump in your throat grew.“Forget it.”

“Wait,” Zoro said, stepping forward, but you instinctively took a step back.

“No, it’s fine,” you said, your voice tight as you forced a bitter smile. “If me trying to help makes me so controlling and annoying, then I won’t bother anymore.”

“Babe, that’s not—”

“Don’t,” you interrupted, your voice firmer now. “I get it, Zoro. You don’t need me, and you sure as hell don’t want my help. Message received.”

You turned away before he could say anything else, your heart twisting painfully as you walked back toward the ship.

Zoro remained motionless, his chest heavy as he watched you walk away. His hand started to lift, a silent urge to call out to you, to stop you—but it faltered, falling limply to his side. The realization settled in like a weight: in his frustration, he hadn’t just lashed out—he’d driven away the one person who always tried to understand him. And now, he could only watch as you disappeared.

God Usopp

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut through as you sat on the Sunny’s deck, fidgeting with your hands. Usopp had been distant for the past two days, barely sparing you a glance and keeping his responses short whenever you tried to talk to him. It wasn’t like him—not with you.

You stole a glance across the ship where he was working on one of his gadgets, his movements tense and hurried, the usual care he put into his work noticeably absent. You’d been patient, waiting for him to come to you, but whatever was bothering him wasn’t going away.

“Usopp,” you finally called, your voice gentle but firm as you stood and walked over to him.

He didn’t look up. “What?”

The coldness in his tone made you flinch, but you pressed on. “Can we talk? You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I’m not avoiding you,” he muttered, fiddling unnecessarily with the gadget in his hands.

“Yes, you are,” you said, standing your ground. “What’s going on? Did I do something wrong?”

At that, he froze, his fingers tightening around the tool in his hand. “You didn’t do anything wrong,” he said flatly, but his voice lacked conviction.

You crouched down beside him, your brows furrowed. “Then what is it? Why won’t you talk to me?”

He finally looked at you, his jaw tight and his eyes flickering with frustration. “Why’d you call Luffy?”

The question caught you off guard. “What?”

“Two days ago, when you were in trouble,” he said, his voice louder now. “You didn’t call for me. You called for Luffy.”

Realization dawned on you, but before you could respond, he continued.

“Was I just not good enough?” he asked, his tone bitter. “Did you think I couldn’t handle it? That I’d just screw it up and get hurt?”

“What? No, that’s not—”

“Don’t,” he interrupted, standing up abruptly and taking a step back. “Just don’t. I get it. I know I’m not as strong as Luffy or Zoro or Sanji. I know I’m not the first one people think of when they’re in danger. But I thought… I thought maybe you—” He stopped himself, shaking his head as he clenched his fists. “Forget it.”

You stood as well, your chest tightening at the hurt in his voice. “Baby, listen to me,” you said, trying to keep your voice steady. “You are strong and very capable. I called for Luffy simply because he was closer. That’s it.”

But he didn’t look at you, his eyes fixed on the deck. “It doesn’t matter,” he said quietly. “I just… I need some space, okay?”

The words hit you like a punch to the gut. Usopp, the one who always sought you out, who always seemed happiest when you were by his side, was asking you to leave him alone.

You swallowed hard, trying to ignore the sting. “If that’s what you need,” you said softly, your voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll give you space. But I’m not giving up on this, Usopp. Or you.”

He didn’t respond, only nodding slightly before turning his back to you. You lingered for a moment, hoping he’d say something, anything, to stop you from walking away. But the silence stretched, and eventually, you had no choice but to leave him be.

As you walked away, your heart ached for him, for the insecurities he tried so hard to hide. You could only hope that when he was ready, he’d let you help him see the truth—that in your eyes, Usopp was more than enough.

Vinsmoke Sanji

The evening sun bathed the deck of the Sunny in golden light, but the sight before you felt anything but warm. Sanji stood at the railing, surrounded by a small group of women from the port town you’d just docked in, his eyes sparkling as he lavished them with compliments and dramatic promises of eternal devotion.

You stood at a distance, arms crossed over your chest, watching the scene unfold before you. It wasn’t the first time Sanji had acted like this, and you had always let it slide, convincing yourself that he would stop eventually. But now, the painful truth settled in, and it felt like a dagger twisting in your chest.

When the women finally left, giggling and waving, you stepped forward, your footsteps deliberate. “Sanji,” you said, your voice sharper than you intended.

He turned, his usual cheerful expression faltering when he saw the look on your face. “Oh, my love! Did you see those ladies? They were absolute angels—”

“Why do you keep doing this?” you interrupted, crossing your arms tighter.

“Doing what?” he asked, genuinely confused, tilting his head.

“This,” you said, gesturing toward where the women had just walked off. “Flirting with every woman who so much as glances your way.”

Sanji blinked, his confusion deepening as he processed your words.“My love, what a wrong? You never complained about this before?”

Your jaw clenched, a bitter laugh escaping your lips. “That’s because I thought it would stop once we got together. I didn’t think that as your girlfriend I would still have to compete with every pretty women you see.”

His eyes widened, as if the thought had never occurred to him. “But, sweetheart, it’s not like that. You’re not competing with anyone I—”

"It is like that Sanji, and honestly, I can't keep doing this," you interrupted, your voice trembling. "It's clear we're not on the same page when it comes to what’s acceptable in a relationship."

The air between you shifted, thick with the weight of your words, each one hanging in the space between you like an unspoken truth.

Sanji’s mouth opened slightly, his brow furrowing as if he were about to protest, but no words came out. He stood there, frozen, as if the reality of the situation hadn’t fully hit him yet. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he managed to say, his voice a little rough, “Why does this feel like a breakup?”

You swallowed hard, the lump in your throat threatening to choke you. Every word felt like it was trapped, lodged somewhere deep inside, fighting its way to the surface. But you couldn’t hold it back any longer. Your eyes never left Sanji’s face, watching the shock and confusion slowly morph into something you couldn’t bear to see.

“That’s because it is,” you said quietly, your voice barely audible, the weight of the words pressing down on you.

The finality of it echoed in your ears, louder than you ever expected. You wanted to say more, to explain, to somehow make him understand that this wasn’t easy for you, that it wasn’t what you wanted. But the truth was, you had already said everything you needed to. This was the point of no return.

“Wait,” he said, stepping closer, his voice desperate. “Don’t do this baby, please. I didn’t know it bothered you. If I had, I— I would’ve stopped. I’ll stop now. I swear.”

You looked away, willing yourself to stay firm despite the raw emotion in his voice. “It’s not just about stopping, Sanji. It’s about the fact that you didn’t even realize that your actions would hurt me. I can’t be with someone who doesn’t see a problem with flirting with others.”

“Please, my love,” he said, reaching for your hand, but you stepped back, shaking your head.

“I can’t, Sanji,” you whispered, your voice barely above a breath.

Without another word, you turned and walked away, each step pulling you further from him.

Sanji stood there, his hand outstretched for a moment longer as if he could reach out and somehow make you stay. But the weight of your words hit him like a punch to the gut. He had lost you—not because he didn’t care, but because he hadn’t shown you he did in the way you needed.

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one piece masterlist

question! how do you guys feel about a queer version of the smau’s with fem or gn reader (idrc) for nami, robin, vivi, perona, boa, and yamato?

it’s in my drafts and i’ll still post it when done just wanted to see if the gays see my vision 🤭

i have two more (one request) for angst but i'll have those up soon now that i’m free from the shackles of school.

anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed :).

not proofread and caps may look weird typed this on my phone and computer 😭

(had to re-upload this didn't realize it posted before I was done)

[ikkyfics]

Between Us

Dave Lizewski x reader x Todd Haynes

Summary: “I… I can’t choose.” “But… what does that mean?” he asked, leaning forward a little without even realizing it. “I mean…” You stopped, searching for the right words, even though your mind seemed unable to process anything beyond their proximity. “I mean I like both of you. In different ways, maybe, but… I can’t imagine choosing just one.”

Warnings: explicit language, mention of jealousy, mention of possession, multiple kisses, unconventional relationship dynamics, provocative language, light smut, sexual tension

A/N: I would be mentally, physically and emotionally incapable of choosing just one

my beloved @gingerteafairy, thank you for our conversations - seriously, girl, I love you <333

Masterlist

The evening was supposed to be relaxed, but Marty’s absence changed the tone of everything. You, Dave, and Todd were inseparable, and Marty, with his easygoing and carefree manner, always served as a kind of natural mediator for the other two. But now, as you walked towards Todd’s house, it was impossible to ignore the nervousness that was growing in your chest. Without Marty there to cushion the interactions, it would be just you in the middle of Dave and Todd—the two so different, yet equally irresistible. The thought already made the butterflies in your stomach dance.

The couch seemed even smaller than usual. You were squeezed between them, feeling the heat of their bodies so close. To your left, Dave, with his dark curls and blue eyes shining behind his glasses, held the bowl of popcorn with both hands, his fingers brushing against your arm with every movement. To the right, Todd, all relaxed with his messy brown hair and dimples marking his smile as he leaned casually on the couch, his knee almost touching your leg. There seemed to be not enough space for everyone, and the proximity created a palpable tension.

"Okay, let's settle this once and for all: better mentor—Batman or Superman?" Todd asked, with that challenging tone and a smile that seemed to carry a hint of provocation.

"Batman, for sure," Dave answered without hesitation, adjusting his glasses. He turned slightly towards you, as if seeking support in your answer. "He's a strategist, he has resources, he trains people. He doesn't rely on powers. It's about discipline, sacrifice."

Todd laughed, leaning forward and bringing his face even closer to yours. "Oh, right, because being a traumatized millionaire is super inspiring," he said mockingly, and the glint in his dark eyes was almost hypnotizing. "Superman, without a doubt. He's genuine, he really cares about people, and he doesn't need all that paraphernalia to be amazing."

You tried to focus on the discussion, but it was hard when the two seemed to be fighting for your attention with every sentence. Dave's gaze was steady and almost intense, while Todd's had that easygoing charm that made your heart race.

"I… I think they both have valid points," you said, trying to sound neutral, but the hesitation in your voice betrayed your nervousness.

"Oh, there's no point in avoiding the issue," Todd teased, smiling as he lightly patted your leg, his hand staying there a second longer than necessary. "C'mon, you know you're Superman."

"Don't let that get to you," Dave intervened, his voice calm but filled with a seriousness that made you stare at him for a moment. "Think about what really makes sense. It's not just about sympathy."

You tried to laugh to lighten the mood, but your mind was elsewhere. The proximity of the two of them, the looks, the small touches… It was as if each gesture was loaded with a tension that you didn't know how to deal with. For a moment, you let yourself be carried away by your daydreams — Dave holding your hand sweetly, his eyes shining behind his glasses as he whispered something that only you could hear. Or Todd, with that carefree smile, leaning his forehead against yours and making you laugh at something silly before losing yourself in his warm gaze.

The sound of the movie brought you back to reality, and your face heated up as you realized the direction your thoughts had taken. You quickly looked away to the TV, but not before noticing that Dave was watching you attentively, as if trying to decipher what you were thinking.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, his voice low and full of concern as he leaned in slightly.

"Yeah, sure," you answered hastily, but you felt Todd chuckle softly beside you.

"Yeah, but now you're blushing," Todd commented, his dimples showing off his smile. "Or did Batman make you like that?"

"It's nothing," you repeated, trying to sound more convincing, but it was useless. The tension in the air felt palpable, and Dave and Todd's close proximity made your mind race in all the wrong directions—or maybe right, depending on how you looked at it. Dave's arm behind you was a constant warm presence, and his fingers always seemed on the verge of brushing the back of your neck, sending subtle shivers that you pretended to ignore. On the other side, Todd maintained his relaxed posture, but his knee pressed lightly against your leg said something else, a small gesture that seemed much bigger in this context.

“Relax, we’re just teasing you,” Todd said, an easy smile on his lips as he reached out to grab a handful of popcorn. The movement brought your shoulder up against his, and the warmth of the contact made you hold your breath for a moment. He seemed to notice, and he glanced at you sideways, somewhere between amused and… attentive.

“It’s no big deal, you know,” Dave added, his voice a little softer. “You might like Superman better. But then… you’d be wrong.” He laughed lightly, and the sound made something in your chest tighten. He had that shy, awkward way about him, but when he spoke with confidence, it was impossible not to notice. He adjusted his glasses quickly, his eyes fixed on the screen for a few seconds before shifting to you.

You tried to focus on the movie, but his every move seemed amplified. The way Dave shifted his weight from side to side, his knee pressing into the couch and leaning slightly toward your side, or the way Todd casually rested his arm on the side of your leg, his fingers almost touching your bare thigh. It was all more intense than it should have been.

When you shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position, you ended up relaxing a little and leaning back, letting your shoulders lightly brush against theirs. The closeness was inevitable, but now you could no longer ignore the way their bodies felt so close, so warm. You tried to rationalize it—they were your friends, it was just the tight couch, nothing major. But your heart had another opinion, beating faster with each small movement they made.

Todd leaned forward to reach for the remote on the coffee table, and the movement caused his arm to brush against yours with a gentleness too deliberate to be accidental. "I think the next movie has a really clichéd kissing scene," he commented casually, but there was a hint of teasing in his tone that made your skin crawl.

Dave looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "Seriously? What movie doesn't have a kissing scene?" He tried to sound nonchalant, but there was a subtle stiffness in his posture that didn't go unnoticed.

"Oh, I don't know," Todd replied, shrugging with that annoyingly charming smile. "Some people like that kind of thing. I can tell who." His gaze met yours for a moment, and you felt your face heat up, as if he knew exactly what you were thinking.

You let out a nervous laugh, trying to divert attention from yourself. "Oh, please, that's like… mandatory in any movie," you muttered, feeling the weight of both their gazes on you.

When the fateful scene finally arrived, you held your breath. On the screen, the characters exchanged intense glances before kissing, and the mood in the room seemed to change instantly. The silence that followed was so heavy that you could swear you could hear the sound of hearts beating—including your own. Todd and Dave’s gazes were fixed on the screen, but you knew they were aware of the tension, too. How could they not be? The room felt smaller, the couch tighter, and the air heavier.

Without thinking, you shifted slightly, trying to ease the pressure of the moment, but ended up pushing your knee against Todd’s, who glanced at you quickly, a smile on the corner of his lips. “Enjoyed the scene, huh?” he teased, but his voice was huskier than usual.

“It’s just… well done,” you replied, swallowing hard.

Dave shifted beside you, adjusting his glasses again, his dark curls falling over his forehead as he looked down at you. “Clichés can be good sometimes,” he said, his voice low but filled with something that seemed deeper. “It depends on how they’re done.”

The silence between you felt alive, almost pulsing, as the movie scene played out, but no one was really paying attention. Your heart was pounding, and you knew it wasn’t because of the dramatic soundtrack on the screen. Every movement they made around you seemed choreographed to move you. The light brush of Todd’s arm against yours, the almost casual adjustment of Dave’s body to your side—it all felt calculated, even though you knew it probably wasn’t. Or was it?

“So…” Todd broke the silence, his tone playful but with something more underlying. He looked at you, his dark eyes shining with that carefree charm that seemed so natural to him. “If that were you on screen, who would you kiss?”

You nearly choked on the popcorn you weren’t even eating. “What?” Your nervous laugh came out more like a sob, and you tried to look away, but his face was so close, and Dave’s expression on the other side was just as intriguing.

“Between the two of us,” Todd continued, shifting slightly forward, his elbows resting on his knees, the closeness creating a tension that was impossible to ignore. “Who would you kiss?”

Dave shifted beside you, clearing his throat. “Seriously, man? What kind of question is that?” He tried to sound casual, but there was something in his voice, something that gave him away. He looked at you with those clear blue eyes, like he wanted you to say something—or maybe say nothing at all.

“Oh, come on,” Todd insisted, his smile growing, but his eyes fixed on you with intensity. “It’s just a question. Friendly. We’re friends, right?”

You laughed again nervously, your hand automatically going to your hair as you tried to stall for time. “I… don’t know. That’s… weird.” But your mind was far from neutral. The idea of ​​kissing either of them—both of them, if you were being honest with yourself—was something you had definitely considered, even if it was just a passing thought. Or not so passing.

Todd chuckled softly, but this time it sounded softer, almost like he was challenging you. “Okay, let’s make this easier. Have you ever kissed anyone?”

The question took you by surprise, and it took you a second to answer. “I have… I mean, yes. Once or twice.” Your voice came out lower than you intended, and you felt heat rise up your neck.

“Me too,” Todd replied casually, leaning back and resting his head on the couch again. “Nothing too serious, you know? Just… experimenting.”

Dave was silent for a moment, and you could tell he was nervous. His curls looked messier than usual, and he fidgeted with his glasses before speaking. "I… never, actually. Not really, anyway."

The room grew even quieter, if that was possible. Without realizing it, your eyes drifted to his lips, pink and soft, achingly inviting. He tried to hide it with an awkward shrug, his cheeks flushing as he caught your gaze. "It's never happened. Not with anyone who… mattered."

"Wait," you began before you could stop yourself, your voice sounding louder than you intended. "Never? Really?"

He nodded, and there was something so honest, so vulnerable in his expression, that it made your heart clench. You felt the words slip out before you could process them. "I could… you know. I could be your first kiss."

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly. Dave looked at you as if he wasn't sure he'd heard you right, his lips parted in surprise, and Todd, on the other side, sat up straighter, his smile fading for a moment.

"Would you do that?" Dave asked, his voice lower, almost hesitant.

“Sure,” you replied, trying to sound casual but feeling the words tremble on your lips. “That’s what friends are for, isn’t it?”

The silence after Dave’s confession felt almost tangible, so thick you could feel it in the air around you. Todd broke the tension with a soft laugh, but unlike any previous teasing, there was no cynicism there. It was almost… curious, as if he was genuinely interested in what was coming next.

“So you’re really going to kiss him?” he asked, his eyes fixed on you, filled with something that made your breath catch. It wasn’t just curiosity; it was intensity, desire. He was watching your every move, as if he wished he were in Dave’s place.

Your face burned, and you looked away, only to be met with the restless blue of Dave’s eyes. He looked just as nervous as you, but there was something else there too: anticipation. And maybe a little newfound courage.

“If he wants to…” you mumbled, your voice barely audible, biting your lip in anticipation.

“I want to,” Dave replied immediately, surprising even himself. He took off his glasses, tossing them on the coffee table, a gesture that should have seemed awkward but only made your heart race even more. “I mean, if you want to too.”

You nodded, almost mechanically, and then came the moment of truth. The two of you began to shift, trying to adjust yourselves on the tiny couch. Todd’s arm brushed against yours as he leaned in slightly, clearly not wanting to miss anything. Knowing he would watch this made your heart skip a beat.

“Let me give you some space,” Todd said, his voice low but still filled with that intense curiosity. He leaned back, his eyes never leaving you. You felt every inch of the couch, every brush of fabric, every ragged breath.

Dave turned his body toward you, and you did the same, your knees almost touching. Your hands were shaking a little, so you rested them on the couch to hide it. His gaze met yours, and for a moment, everything seemed to stop.

You were the one who moved first, your fingers gently cupping his cheek as you moved even closer, until there was no space between you.

The first touch of his lips was shy, hesitant. You felt his softness and caution, and your heart skipped a beat. You pressed your lips more firmly against his, your tongue asking for entry to venture into his mouth. Dave seemed to relax, leaning in more, returning the kiss with a confidence you never imagined he had.

You sighed against his lips, the world around you disappearing as he held your waist firmly, pulling you closer. Your hands found his shoulders, and suddenly you were on his lap, without even realizing how it had happened. The kiss was no longer shy. It was intense, almost desperate, as if you had both been waiting for this moment without knowing it.

You moaned against his mouth as you felt his hands grip your ass, pressing you tighter against him. Shit, how could he say he’d never kissed anyone? Your fingers quickly found his curls, tugging at them until you heard a scratchy noise in his throat.

You could barely think, barely breathe, but none of that mattered. You lost yourself in the warmth of his body, in the way he seemed to hold you like he’d never let you go.

A soft sound made you open your eyes suddenly, and there was Todd, clearing his throat slightly. You pulled away from Dave, both of you still breathing heavily, and looked at Todd. He was leaning forward again, his dark eyes fixed on you, shining with something that seemed like a mix of teasing and pent-up desire. You felt overly aware of your own body, your face hot as you realized Dave’s hands were still on your ass, but you did nothing to push them away.

“So,” Todd began, his tone light but with a hint of something that made your stomach churn, he shifted uncomfortably on the couch. "If you had to choose, I think Dave would be your choice, don't you?"

You remained in Dave’s lap, the feel of his hands around you almost comforting. But Todd’s words made your heart beat faster in a different way. You looked up at him, your lips still tingling from the kiss, and spoke before you could stop yourself.

“I’d kiss you too,” you said, your voice low but clear. “If you just asked.”

Todd’s eyes darkened immediately, and you saw a slow smile form on his lips, revealing those adorable dimples that always got to you. Dave was silent, but you could feel the tension in his body, as if he was processing what he had just heard.

Todd kept his gaze fixed on you, his expression filled with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. He tilted his head slightly to the side, as if trying to comprehend what you had just said. “Are you serious?” he asked, his voice deep and lower than usual, filled with a tension that you could feel in the air.

Your heart felt like it wanted to escape your chest, but you held his gaze, even as your cheeks burned with embarrassment and anticipation. You nodded, almost imperceptibly, before blurting out, in a whisper that seemed too loud in the silence, “Ask.”

The word hung between you like a challenge, like something you couldn’t take back. Todd chuckled softly, a deep sound that reverberated through the cramped couch. “Okay,” he said, leaning forward a little. “Then kiss me.”

Your stomach knotted with anxiety and excitement as you slid off Dave’s lap, feeling slight tremors in your legs. Todd’s eyes were fixed on you, following every movement as if he were under a spell. Dave, on the other side, remained silent, but the weight of his gaze was almost tangible.

When you were finally in front of Todd, kneeling on the couch, he gripped your waist firmly, pulling you onto his lap with an ease that made your heart race. Unlike Dave, Todd didn’t hesitate. He held you as if he already knew exactly what he wanted to do, and the first touch of his lips was intense.

You sighed, still tasting Dave in your mouth as Todd kissed you. His hands quickly moved down to your hips, adjusting you on his lap until you were straddling him.

You could hardly believe what was happening. Todd’s grip was different—firmer, more possessive. His hands slid around your waist, holding you with a confidence that made your entire body respond, as if you were made to be there.

The kiss was deep, almost desperate, and the world around you disappeared in a blur. You felt the heat of his body, the way he tilted his head to intensify the contact, the way he made you writhe on his lap.

His hand slid around your waist, without hesitation before squeezing your breast. Your thin bra offered no resistance against the heat of his fingers. “Todd,” you whimpered, feeling something flare inside you when he grunted his approval.

Your mind was spinning, torn between the intensity of the moment and the disbelief that this was actually happening.

When you opened your eyes for a moment, trying to catch your breath, you saw Dave watching you. He was fascinated, his lips slightly parted. His expression was a mix of surprise and… something else.

You didn’t have much time to process. Todd took advantage of the moment to slide his other hand to your hip, pulling you even closer. You didn’t protest, returning to the kiss with redoubled intensity, your hips moving against his every now and then unconsciously. The kiss didn’t have the same softness as Dave’s. It was intense, almost rough, but in a way that made you lose yourself completely.

You didn’t know how much time had passed. All you knew was that when you finally pulled away, the silence seemed even more deafening. Todd’s chest rose and fell rapidly, his dark eyes fixed on hers, as if trying to read every thought that passed through her mind.

And then came Dave’s voice, breaking the spell. “So… him too, huh?”

You blinked, your lips still tingling from the kiss, and turned to face Dave. He didn’t look angry or hurt, but the intensity in his gaze was hard to ignore. You opened your mouth to respond, but the words didn’t come out. Todd chuckled again, sliding his hands to rest on your waist.

“Let her breathe, Dave,” he said, his tone casual but still filled with something that made your skin crawl.

The silence in the room was so thick it felt like a physical presence. You could feel the heat of Todd’s hands still resting on your waist, and at the same time, Dave’s gaze burning into you. You didn’t dare look directly at him; you knew your mind was already a mess and that staring into those vibrant blue eyes would only make things worse.

Todd, on the other hand, seemed more relaxed, but the tension in his shoulders gave away that he was just as affected as you were. The way he held you, as if he was trying to memorize the moment, made your heart beat even faster.

Dave was the first to break the silence. “So… you really don’t have a favorite?” His voice was low, almost hesitant, as if he were treading unfamiliar territory.

You felt your face heat up even more. It was almost impossible to believe you were having this conversation, but after what had just happened, pretending nothing had changed seemed ridiculous.

“I… I can’t choose.” The confession came out in a whisper, and you almost wished you could swallow the words back. But it was the truth. “It’s impossible.”

Todd arched an eyebrow, a slow smile forming on his lips. “Impossible, huh?” He seemed to be enjoying seeing you so nervous, but his eyes didn’t give a lie. There was something else there, something deeper that he wasn’t willing to hide.

Dave, on the other hand, looked conflicted. He shifted on the couch, as if trying to find a comfortable position—and failing miserably. “But… what does that mean?” he asked, leaning forward a little without even realizing it.

His approach didn’t go unnoticed. You felt the space between the three of you shrink even further, the heat from your bodies almost suffocating. Todd seemed to notice it too, but he didn’t say anything, just kept his hands firmly on you, as if he was marking his territory.

“I mean…” You stopped, searching for the right words, even though your mind seemed unable to process anything beyond their proximity. “I mean I like both of you. In different ways, maybe, but… I can’t imagine choosing just one.”

The admission hung in the air like a bomb about to explode. Dave opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again, his eyes fixed on you with an intensity that made your throat dry.

Todd, however, laughed softly, the sound making your skin crawl. “So you’re saying we both have a chance?” He tilted his head to the side, as if challenging you.

“I don’t know,” you admitted, your voice barely audible. “I just know I like you. Both of you. And it confuses me, because… because I don’t know how to deal with it.”

Dave finally spoke, his voice firmer this time. “What if you didn’t have to choose?”

Your heart almost stopped. What did he mean by that? The look in his eyes left no doubt: he was serious. There was a vulnerability in his eyes that made your chest hurt, but also something that seemed determined, like he had already accepted the idea before you had.

Todd let out a short laugh, but it didn’t seem like he was mocking. He looked at Dave, then back at you, his eyes shining with something you couldn’t quite decipher. “That sounds like an interesting idea.”

You felt the air leave your lungs in a shaky breath. The couch felt even smaller, their bodies pressed against yours, each movement sending shocks through your body.

Dave, without realizing it, had moved even closer, until he was right next to Todd. His hand hovered in the air for a moment before landing softly on your leg, tracing lazy half circles on your thigh that made your skin crawl.

“Are you serious?” you asked, your voice thick with nervousness and disbelief.

Dave nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving yours. “Yeah. Maybe… maybe we don’t have to do this the traditional way.”

The intensity of the moment seemed to overwhelm every one of your senses. The heat of Todd’s body pressed against yours, his hands firm on your waist, and Dave’s gaze burning into your face were almost too much to bear. And yet, there was something incredibly addictive about the charged atmosphere, as if you had fallen into a fever dream you didn’t want to wake up from.

Dave seemed to hesitate for a moment, his eyes fixed on you with a mixture of nervousness and determination. But you couldn’t wait any longer. Before you could regret it, you leaned toward him, one of your hands landing on his shoulder as you pulled him into a kiss, never leaving Todd’s lap.

His lips were soft, hesitant at first, as if he was still trying to figure out what was happening. But that only lasted for a moment. As soon as Dave felt the firmness of your mouth against his, he seemed to gain confidence. The kiss deepened, becoming more intense. His hand moved up to your face, his fingers tracing your jaw in a touch that sent waves of heat through your body.

And even as you lost yourself in the kiss with Dave, Todd’s presence could not be ignored. His hands on you seemed almost possessive, his thumbs making lazy circles on your skin, as if he wanted to remind you that he was there too. The contrast between the two of them was mind-blowing: Dave’s gentle touch, the almost desperate kiss, and Todd’s steady strength, keeping you anchored in the moment.

And it was somewhat impossible to ignore the growing bulge in his pants, pressed deliciously against your pussy.

When you finally pulled away from Dave, your breath was caught in your throat, your lips tingling with the intensity of the kiss. Your eyes met his, so blue and intense that you almost lost yourself again.

But there was no time to process anything. Before you could even catch your breath, Todd was in motion. He leaned forward, his hand rising to the base of your neck as he pulled you into a kiss of his own.

The initial shock gave way to a wave of electricity that coursed through your body. Todd’s kiss was completely different: firm, almost fierce, as if he were trying to claim something he thought was his. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t leave room for doubt. The hand on the back of your neck held you in place, while the other squeezed your breast, his thumb teasing the hardened nipple.

You couldn’t help it. A gasp escaped your throat, and you leaned even further against him, your fingers gripping Todd’s shirt as you tried to find some kind of balance. Your body felt incandescent, as if every cell was vibrating with the intensity of the moment.

And at the same time, you still felt Dave. His gaze was palpable, burning into your skin, and when you opened your eyes for a brief second, you found him watching you with something between fascination and desire. It was impossible to ignore the tension he carried too, the way his hands were clenched into fists on the couch, as if he was fighting the urge to pull you back.

Todd finally pulled away, but not completely. He rested his forehead against yours, his heavy breathing mingling with yours. “What now?” he murmured, his voice husky, filled with something that made your heart race even faster.

You had no answer. Or maybe you did, but you were lost in the heat of them, in the whirlwind of emotions that seemed too much to bear.

It was Dave who broke the silence, his voice low and filled with something that seemed to be a mix of nervousness and determination. “This isn’t just a game to me.”

You stared at him, his words piercing through the fog in your mind. He sounded so vulnerable, so sincere, that it made something inside you clench. But before he could say anything, Todd spoke, his voice filled with quiet confidence.

“Not even for me.”

The weight of their words fell on you, almost overwhelming. It was impossible to deny how attracted you were to both of them, how being between them felt… right. Even if it was insane. Even if it was something you had never imagined.

“I…” You began, but your voice faltered. You looked from one to the other, feeling the intensity of their gazes, feeling as if you were in the middle of something much bigger than you could comprehend. “I…” you began again, feeling your throat dry, the words stuck somewhere between your mind and your lips. You looked at Todd, whose hand was still firmly on yours, as if he feared you would disappear. Then at Dave, who looked so vulnerable and, at the same time, filled with an intensity that made your skin tingle.

“How… how would this work?” you finally asked, your voice low, almost a whisper, as if you didn’t want to break the moment. But the question was there, hanging in the air between you, filled with tension, anticipation and something you barely dared to name.

Todd arched an eyebrow, a slow, almost challenging smile curving his lips. "Do you really want to know?" he asked, his tone low and heavy, as his fingers traced lazy circles on your waist.

Dave swallowed hard, but nodded. "Yeah… I think we need to talk about it. If… if everyone is really thinking the same thing."

You laughed softly, almost in disbelief, tasting the kisses still fresh in your mouth. "I can't stop thinking about it. How you guys taste… how it feels… right." The words slipped out before you could stop them, and a blush quickly rose to your face.

Todd let out a low laugh, somewhere between amused and pleased. "Then we're on the same page."

Dave looked less sure, but his hand moved toward yours, his fingers brushing against yours. The touch was hesitant, but full of meaning, as if he was trying to find the courage to move forward. "I just… I want to make sure this is something you want too. That we all want."

You looked from one to the other, your heart racing. "I do. But… what about you?"

Todd leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on yours with an intensity that stole your breath. "I think my actions have made that pretty clear."

Dave shook his head, a small, almost shy smile curving his lips. "Yeah. I do. But I haven't… I've never done anything like this before."

"Me either," you admitted, a blush heating your face.

Todd let out an amused sigh. "Well, it seems I'm the only one here who's ever thought outside the box. But it doesn't have to be complicated."

As he spoke, you noticed the three of them were leaning toward each other without realizing it, as if the growing tension was pulling them closer. The heat of their bodies around you was almost suffocating, but in a good way, in a way that made your skin crawl, as if the blood in your veins had been replaced by liquid fire.

“So… what happens now?” you asked, your voice low, almost trembling with anticipation.

Todd opened his mouth to answer, but Dave was quicker. He leaned in, his lips meeting yours in a kiss that quickly gained intensity. You felt his hands cup your face, his touch firm but incredibly tender.

But before you could completely lose yourself in the kiss, you felt Todd move. His hands on your waist gently pushed you back onto the couch. The newly imposed distance made a complaint arise in your mind, but it was quickly replaced by a sigh as you felt him position himself behind you. In ecstasy, you realized that you were trapped between them. The couch creaked in response, but no one showed concern.

You wrapped your arms around Dave’s neck, feeling his chest crush your breasts. You were still kissing him when Todd pressed his lips against the curve of your neck. Your back pressed firmly against his chest.

The world seemed to spin. You couldn’t separate one sensation from the other—the heat of Dave’s kiss, the firmness of Todd’s touch, the two merging into a whirlwind that made your head spin. When Dave finally pulled away, panting, it was Todd who took his place, pulling you into a kiss that was completely different: firm, full of control, but equally devastating.

The moment Dave’s lips brushed Todd’s was like time had stopped. Neither of you moved, your eyes wide as surprise hung in the air. You held your breath, feeling the weight of tension triple around you. There were no words, just the muffled sound of rapid breathing and the heat of your bodies so close together.

“That… was…” Todd began, but the sentence trailed off, replaced by a low sigh. He looked disconcerted, his eyes fixed on Dave, but there was no hostility there. Only confusion and something that felt like… curiosity.

Dave, for his part, looked equally stunned, the blush rising quickly to his face. “I… didn’t mean to,” he mumbled, his voice barely audible, full of embarrassment.

But Todd, instead of responding with words, let out a short, husky laugh, more of a whisper than an actual sound. “Relax, man. It was just an accident,” he said, but there was something about the way he looked at Dave—a mix of teasing and consideration that made him seem far more intrigued than he should have been.

You watched them, feeling trapped between them, both physically and emotionally. Their closeness was almost suffocating, but in a way that made your skin tingle. “Are you guys okay?” you asked, trying to diffuse the rising tension, but your own voice came out low and shaky, betraying what you really felt.

Todd looked at you, then back at Dave, before letting out a deep sigh. “Yeah. We’re fine.” He raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on you now. “What about you?”

“I… don’t know,” you admitted, laughing nervously, leaning against Todd’s chest as you tried to catch your breath. “This is all very… intense.”

Dave ran a hand through his hair, clearly still processing what had just happened. But instead of pulling away, he leaned in closer, his eyes searching yours. “But… well, it doesn’t feel wrong. Does it?”

You shook your head slowly, feeling your heart hammer in your chest. “No. It doesn’t.”

And, as if your words had broken some invisible barrier, Dave leaned in again, his lips meeting yours in a kiss that felt more urgent this time. His hands slid down your body, leaving a trail that seemed to burn your skin, before settling back on your ass, squeezing hard enough to make a moan bubble past your lips.

Before you could pull away, you felt Todd’s hands on your waist again, firm and warm, deliberately moving up until they cupped your soft breasts, kneading them gently through your thin blouse. The couch felt too small to hold all of you, your bodies moving together in an awkward but harmonious rhythm.

When Dave finally pulled away, panting, it was Todd who took his place, turning your face back for a kiss that was completely different—firmer, more demanding, almost as if he were trying to prove something. His hands teased your aching nipples, sending waves of pleasure through your body.

And then, before you could completely lose yourself in him, Dave was there again. The initial shock seemed to have faded, replaced by a strange, silent acceptance. They didn’t talk about what it meant, just went with the flow of the moment, the touches and kisses becoming a language of their own.

When you were too breathless, lost in the feeling of an insistent poke in your belly and another in your ass, your eyes closed for a moment. Just registering the moment, the way the heat had enveloped your body, the way you were deliciously pressed against each other.

“This is… insane,” you murmured between kisses, your voice broken by sighs as you tried to keep up with their movements.

“Maybe,” Todd replied, his voice low and husky against your ear. “But it feels right.”

Dave nodded, his fingers still firmly on your ass, adjusting it against his own growing bulge in his pants. "I never imagined… but, yes. It feels right." The three of you moved as if they were one, a tangle of hands and mouths, each touch, each kiss charged with an intensity that bordered on delirious.

You felt as if you were floating, trapped in a whirlwind of emotions and sensations that you couldn't and didn't want to control. Their tastes mixed together, their touches were a perfect blend of firmness and care, and the world around you disappeared completely. There was no room for doubt or regret—only the growing heat between you and the certainty that, somehow, it all made sense.

The insistent sound of a cell phone vibrating cut through the heavy air of kisses and panting breaths, but no one really seemed to care. Todd’s lips were on the curve of your neck, leaving kisses that sent shivers down your spine, while Dave held your face in a firm hand, his fingers brushing the line of your jaw as his lips took yours again.

You tried to focus, but the constant vibration seemed to grow louder and louder, almost like a reminder that was impossible to ignore. “My… my phone,” you managed to mumble, but your voice came out low, almost breathless, lost between the ringing and the heat radiating from both of them.

Dave let out a sound somewhere between a moan and a protest, his lips leaving yours just enough to murmur against your skin, “Ignore it.”

Still, you reached out with difficulty, trying to find the phone, while their caresses made it difficult to even breathe.

“Let it ring,” Todd suggested, his voice husky and low against your skin, as he left a soft bite on the side of your neck.

Dave let out a small laugh, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “It shouldn’t be that important,” he added, but the intensity of his lips returning to meet yours told you he clearly didn’t care.

You finally managed to pull out your phone, and the name on the screen made your stomach sink for a moment: Dad. Taking a deep breath—or at least trying to, because Todd hadn’t yet taken his lips off of you—you answered. “H-hey,” you managed to say, but the word came out in a shaky whisper, your voice cracking with the heat in your body.

“Daughter? Is everything okay? You seem out of breath,” your father said on the other end of the line, concerned.

“Yeah,” you replied, your voice slurred and shaky as Todd took the moment to place another kiss on your neck, this time with a teasing bite that made you let out a small muffled sound before you could stop yourself. Dave arched an eyebrow, a lazy smile on his lips. “I’m… I’m at Todd’s,” you said quickly, trying to sound casual, but your heavy breathing gave you away.

“Are his parents there?” your father asked, a hint of suspicion in his tone.

You hesitated for a moment, but felt Todd smile against your skin before whispering, "Say yes."

"Yes," you lied, the word coming out too quickly. "They're… t-they're in the... living room," you finished, stuttering slightly as Dave ran his hand down your side, his fingers tracing a warm line on your skin.

Your father seemed to consider the answer for a moment before continuing. "I just wanted to let you know that your uncle is here. He came as a surprise and really wants to see you. Come home when you can."

"My uncle?" you asked, your mind in a haze. Todd's soft bite on your neck and Dave's lips brushing your collarbone made it impossible to fully focus. "Oh… sure. I'll… I'll come back," you said, but the words came out broken, almost like a sigh, which only seemed to heighten the interest in Todd and Dave's eyes.

"Is everything really okay, honey? You're sounding… weird," your father observed, his tone more serious now.

"Yes, I'm… tired," you replied, trying to sound convincing, but another sigh escaped when Dave pressed a firmer kiss to your shoulder, and you had to bite your lip to hold back any sound.

"Okay, then come back soon. Don't be long," he said before hanging up.

You dropped your phone on the couch with a shaky hand, trying to compose yourself as Todd tilted his face up, his eyes shining with mischief. “You lied so well,” he teased, his voice low and full of amusement.

“I could barely speak,” you admitted breathlessly, your lips still tingling from the kisses.

“Maybe because we didn’t let you,” Dave said, smiling as he tilted his head for another kiss, his fingers already firmly on your waist.

“I have to go,” you murmured, though you weren’t sure if you believed it.

“Do you really?” Todd asked, his fingers stroking the back of your neck slowly and deliberately.

You didn’t answer. Or maybe you couldn’t, because Dave pulled you closer, and soon you were lost in them again, every touch, every kiss, making it seem like the world outside that couch didn’t exist.

The knowledge that you had to go was coming back like a slow but inevitable tide. You were there, between them, each kiss and touch so captivating that the world seemed to have stopped. Still, the weight of the cell phone in your hand and your father's voice echoed in your mind, reminding you that you had to get out of that feverish paradise.

With an effort that seemed almost superhuman, you began to move away, your body hesitating with every inch lost between the three of them. Dave, who had his fingers intertwined in the curve of your waist, tried to keep them there for a moment longer, while Todd, with his lips still so close to your skin, let out a hoarse sigh of dissatisfaction. "Are you sure you have to go?" he asked, his tone low and loaded with something that made your legs threaten to give out.

You nodded, although your hands still instinctively sought their touch, almost as if they were acting on their own. "I… I do," you answered, but your voice came out shaky, as if the very act of speaking convinced you otherwise.

Before you could stand up completely, you leaned in, leaving a soft kiss on Todd's lips, enough to feel the slight roughness he had, so familiar now. He smiled against your lips, almost challenging, as if he was sure you would change your mind.

When your eyes met Dave's, something sparked between you. You moved closer, hesitant but determined, and his fingers soon rose to your face, firm and gentle, guiding you for another kiss. Unlike Todd's, his was a mix of intensity and tenderness, something that made your chest tight with conflicting emotions.

As you pulled away, panting, you saw the two exchange a brief, almost complicit look, before turning their focus back to you. The marks they left began to burn lightly on your skin as you adjusted yourself to get up, and it was only when you absently ran your hand over your neck that you realized the damage they had done.

Your face blushed violently. “You… left marks,” you murmured, your voice tinged with embarrassment and something else they probably noticed too.

Todd tilted his head, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. “And you left yours too,” he replied teasingly, indicating the place where your own fingers had previously grazed his neck.

Dave laughed, a low, comfortable laugh. “Good luck explaining that,” he said, his tone laced with amusement but also something you couldn’t quite decipher.

Still dazed, you gathered your things, feeling their eyes follow your every move. When you finally reached the door, Todd was the first to stand, walking towards you with that familiar relaxed confidence. He leaned in for one last kiss, quicker this time but no less intense, as if he wanted to prolong the moment for just a second longer.

Dave approached soon after, his gaze warm and amused. “See you later,” he said, his fingers brushing your hand before he leaned in for another kiss. "See you," you replied, the word almost swallowed by the confusion of emotions dancing inside you. When you finally left, you could still feel their lips on yours and the marks, now not only on your skin, but also on your heart.

The door closed with a soft click, leaving Dave and Todd alone in the room. For a moment, silence reigned, interrupted only by the sound of their still uneven breathing. They threw themselves on the couch, their clothes slightly wrinkled and the marks of what had happened written on their faces — swollen lips, messy hair, and an unsettling glint in their eyes.

Todd was the first to break the silence, letting out a low, almost incredulous laugh. “Dude… what the fuck just happened?” He ran a hand through his hair, messing it up even more as he looked at Dave, his eyes still filled with a mix of amusement and surprise.

Dave was still processing everything, his gaze fixed on the door as if he expected you to return at any moment. “I… I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice coming out hoarse, almost choked. He brought a hand to his face, as if he needed to make sure he was still there. “That was… completely insane.”

Todd tilted his head back, letting out a long sigh, before looking at Dave with a smile that was half teasing, half pure fascination. “You do realize we just kissed the same girl, right? Like… fuck, while she was between us. That’s better than any porn I’ve ever seen.”

Dave blushed immediately, but didn’t try to deny it. “Yeah, I noticed, Todd,” he replied, his voice louder than he intended. He ran his hands over his face, desperately trying to make sense of it. “That was… different. And you didn’t even flinch,” he added, looking at Todd with a mix of accusation and something else.

“Neither did you,” Todd replied, a smirk appearing on his face. He shrugged, as if he was more comfortable with the situation than he should have been. “But seriously… did you feel it? Like, how she seemed to be… there with us? Not between us, but… part of it?”

Dave couldn’t help but remember the way their bodies seemed to mold together, as if everything made some strange, unexpected sense. “I felt it,” he admitted, reluctantly but honestly. “And that’s what makes me so confused.”

Todd turned to face Dave directly, his smile fading as he spoke more seriously. “So… what do we do about this? Because, man, I can’t just… pretend it didn’t happen.”

Dave shook his head slowly, his eyes returning to the couch, where minutes ago everything had happened. “Me neither,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He licked his lips, as if he could still taste her. “I think we need to… talk to her about it. See what she thinks.”

Todd laughed lightly, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “Yeah, because this isn’t going to be weird,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. But the smile that followed was genuine. “If there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that she’s just as lost in this as we are.”

Dave nodded slowly, his fingers drumming against his leg. “Do you think she… feels the same way? Like, that this is something that could work?”

Todd shrugged, but there was a strange confidence in the gleam in his eyes. “Only one way to find out, right? But man, if I know her well enough… I’d say she was as comfortable with us as she seemed.”

Dave stared at Todd for a long moment before finally letting out a shy smile. "This is crazy, Todd. You know that, right?"

Todd laughed, louder this time, throwing his head back. "Of course it is, man. But if we're going to do something crazy, at least it's with her."

They were silent after that, both lost in their own thoughts. But deep down, one thing was clear: whatever had started in that room, it wasn't something they were willing to abandon any time soon.

[atlasthegreatest]

Twinkling Lights and Crimson Blushes / Sophia Laforteza x Female Reader

Which, during a festive Christmas outing, the Katseye girls visit an ice skating rink, where Sophia accidentally bumps into Y/n, sending them both tumbling to the ice. Despite the minor chaos, Y/n can’t help but be captivated by Sophia’s beauty, even as she nurses a cut on her eyebrow.

Word count: 2440

A/n: Sophia Laforteza. That's it. That's the tweet.

The ice rink at Winter Haven Park was dazzling under the strings of golden lights crisscrossing overhead. It was Christmas Eve, and the Katseye girls had decided to embrace the festive season by enjoying an evening of ice skating. Sophia, wrapped in a chic red coat and matching scarf, led the way onto the ice.

“Careful, Sophia!” Yoonchae called from behind, wobbling slightly as she held onto the rink barrier. “Don’t get too confident. It’s slippery out here.”

“Yeah, Sophia,” Manon teased, gliding past with ease. “We wouldn’t want you embarrassing yourself in front of all these people.”

Sophia smirked and spun lightly in place. “Please, I’ve got this.”

The rest of the girls followed her onto the ice, some gracefully (like Daniela, who moved as if she belonged in an ice-dancing competition) and some less so (like Megan, who was clinging to Lara for dear life).

As Sophia focused on her footing, the music from the rink’s speakers changed to a Christmas classic, and the laughter of children mingled with the occasional thuds of people falling. She was skating backward, trying to call to Yoonchae, when she suddenly collided with someone.

Hard.

The impact knocked both of them to the ice, and Sophia groaned as she rubbed her head. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed, turning to the person she’d crashed into.

The stranger—a tall, athletic-looking woman with warm brown eyes and a gentle expression—was sitting on the ice, holding her brow where a thin streak of red appeared.

Sophia’s eyes widened in horror. “Oh no! You’re bleeding!”

The woman stared at her, her mouth slightly open as if trying to form words. She didn’t seem particularly bothered by the cut, more focused on Sophia’s face.

Before Sophia could say anything else, another voice chimed in. “Uh, you okay, bud?” A friend of the woman skated over, snickering as they looked between the two. “Looks like you got taken out and starstruck at the same time.”

“Seriously, I’m so sorry,” Sophia said again, reaching into her coat pocket and pulling out a tissue. She pressed it gently to the stranger’s eyebrow. “Let me make it up to you. How about I buy you a coffee? Or—” she hesitated for a moment, her cheeks pinking—“or dinner?”

The woman blinked, still too stunned to reply. Her friend nudged her, grinning. “Say yes, idiot.”

Finally, the woman managed to stammer, “Y-yes, I’d… like that.”

Sophia smiled in relief, offering them a hand to help them up. “I’m Sophia, by the way.”

“I know,” the woman replied, sheepishly taking her hand. “I mean—uh, I’m Y/n.”

By now, the rest of the Katseye girls had gathered around, and Lara couldn’t help but laugh. “Sophia, only you could turn a skating accident into a romantic meet-cute.”

Manon raised an eyebrow. “So, dinner, huh? We’ll want details, Miss Laforteza.”

Yoonchae grinned. “This might be the most entertaining part of the night.”

Sophia shot them all a playful glare before turning back to Y/n. “Ignore them. They’re just jealous I managed to make an impression—though maybe not the most graceful one.”

Y/n chuckled, holding the tissue to her cut. “It’s a Christmas Eve to remember.”

As Sophia and Y/n exchanged warm smiles, the festive lights above seemed to twinkle a little brighter, hinting at the promise of something special on this magical winter night.

Sophia then helped Y/n to her feet, the festive chaos around them seemed to blur into the background. Y/n was still holding the tissue to her eyebrow, but her gaze kept flickering back to Sophia, who was equally flustered but doing her best to stay composed.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Sophia asked, brushing imaginary snow off her coat. “I feel terrible about knocking you over.”

“I’m fine,” Y/n assured her, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I think the embarrassment hurts more than the cut.”

“Don’t let her fool you,” Y/n’s friend interjected, grinning. “She’s been watching you for the last ten minutes. She’s just mad you took the first step—literally.”

“Felix,” Y/n hissed, her ears turning red as she shot her friend a mortified glare.

Sophia tilted her head, her expression softening into something teasing. “Oh? Is that true?”

Y/n opened her mouth to respond, but the words got stuck in her throat. Thankfully, Felix wasn’t done stirring the pot. “She’s been hyping herself up to talk to you all night. Guess fate had other plans, huh?”

Sophia laughed—a bright, musical sound that seemed to melt away Y/n’s embarrassment. “Well, I guess I did the hard part for you. Now you owe me.”

Y/n blinked. “Owe you?”

“For dinner,” Sophia said, grinning. “You can call it an apology for not watching where I was going.”

Felix let out a low whistle. “Bold and charming. Y/n, if you don’t take her up on this, I’m stealing her for myself.”

The Katseye girls, who had been hovering nearby and pretending not to listen, finally burst into laughter.

“Looks like Sophia has an admirer,” Lara teased, gliding closer. “Maybe we should leave you two alone?”

“Not before we document this moment,” Manon added, pulling out her phone.

“Manon!” Sophia hissed, her cheeks flushing pink as she waved her hands. “Don’t you dare?”

But it was too late. Manon had already snapped a photo of Sophia and Y/n standing close, the Christmas lights behind them giving the scene a cozy, magical glow.

“Perfect,” Manon said with a smirk, showing the picture to Yoonchae, who giggled.

“Okay, okay,” Sophia said, turning back to Y/n. “Ignore them. They’re my biggest embarrassment most of the time.”

Y/n chuckled, her nervousness easing a little. “I don’t mind. They seem like good friends.”

“Good is a stretch,” Sophia muttered, earning playful boos from her members.

Felix nudged Y/n with his elbow. “So? You're gonna give the pretty girl your number or what?”

Y/n hesitated for a moment before reaching into her coat pocket and pulling out her phone. She handed it to Sophia, her hand brushing hers briefly, and the Filipino girl smiled softly as she entered her number.

“There,” Sophia said, handing the phone back. “Now you can text me about that dinner.”

“I will,” Y/n promised, her gaze lingering on Sophia for a moment longer than necessary.

As the two exchanged shy smiles, the rest of the Katseye girls started skating away, calling out teasing comments.

“Don’t keep her out too late!” Yoonchae joked.

“And don’t let her fall again,” Megan added with a grin.

Sophia groaned but couldn’t help laughing as she turned back to Y/n. “I am sorry about the cut. But I’m glad it led to this.”

Y/n smiled, her heart fluttering despite the still-throbbing pain in her eyebrow. “Me too.”

As they parted ways for the evening, the air was filled with the sounds of laughter, Christmas music, and the magic of an unexpected connection. And though Sophia didn’t know it yet, this was just the beginning of a story that would sparkle as brightly as the twinkling lights above the ice rink.

—————————-

As Sophia skated back to her group, Y/n lingered by the edge of the rink, still holding her phone and staring down at the number saved under “Sophia 🌟.” Felix watched her with an amused smirk.

“You good, champ?” Felix asked, leaning against the barrier. “You look like you just saw Santa in the flesh.”

Y/n blinked out of her daze, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. “She’s… something else.”

“Understatement of the century,” Felix quipped. “Don’t blow it. I’m rooting for you.”

Meanwhile, Sophia rejoined her members, who were waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce.

“Well?” Manon said, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “Did you ask for her number, or did she faint from being too close to your sheer magnificence?”

“Stop it,” Sophia said, trying to sound annoyed, though the blush on her cheeks gave her away.

“Come on, we need details!” Yoonchae chimed in, practically vibrating with excitement.

“It’s nothing,” Sophia said, her tone nonchalant as she tightened her scarf. “I just gave her my number so I could properly apologize for knocking her over.”

“Sure, sure,” Daniela said, skating alongside her. “You were apologizing. That’s why you were smiling at each other like it was a Hallmark movie.”

“You all are the worst,” Sophia groaned, covering her face with her gloved hands.

Lara, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke up. “She seemed nice. And cute.”

“Right?” Megan added. “Tall, too. I think she was blushing even more than you were, Sofia.”

“Enough!” Sophia said though she was laughing now. “Let’s just enjoy the rest of the night, okay?”

But the teasing didn’t stop there. As they skated, the girls continued to whisper and giggle behind her back. They even waved at Y/n, who had re-entered the rink with Felix, much to Sophia’s embarrassment.

Eventually, the night wound down, and the girls gathered by the food stands for hot cocoa. Sophia glanced over her shoulder and caught Y/n looking her way again. She gave a small wave, and Y/n, encouraged by Felix, waved back.

Manon leaned over and whispered, “If she doesn’t text you by tomorrow, we’re taking over.”

“Manon, no,” Sophia said, but she couldn’t stop smiling.

The evening ended with laughter, cocoa, and the promise of something new blooming in the cold, festive air. As the girls walked off toward their car, Sophia couldn’t help but feel a little lighter, the twinkling lights overhead matching the spark she felt deep in her chest.

Bonus Chapter:

The morning after the ice-skating incident, the Katseye girls gathered around the breakfast table in their cozy rented holiday cabin. Snow was falling gently outside, blanketing the world in white. Inside, the air was filled with the smell of freshly brewed coffee, cinnamon rolls, and the unmistakable buzz of excitement as everyone recounted the previous night.

Sophia entered the room last, her hair slightly mussed, and a sleepy but content expression on her face. She plopped into a chair, reaching for a mug of coffee, but before she could take a sip, Yoonchae slid into the seat beside her, a mischievous grin already forming.

“Good morning, lovebird,” Yoonchae teased, nudging Sophia with her elbow.

Sophia groaned. “Please, no. Not before coffee.”

But the girls were relentless. Manon leaned across the table, her phone in hand. “So, I may have done a little stalking,” she said, flashing a photo of Y/n on Instagram, one taken at the rink from a friend’s story. “She’s cute. And tall. Hockey Player. And, oh look, she’s already following you.”

Sophia almost choked on her coffee. “Manon! How do you even find these things so fast?”

“Please,” Megan said, flipping her hair dramatically. “Manon’s practically the FBI when it comes to stuff like this. But the real question is—did she text you yet?”

Sophia’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and she avoided their expectant gazes.

“Oh my god, she did!” Daniela exclaimed, clapping her hands. “You’re blushing. Sophia, spill. What did she say?”

Reluctantly, Sophia pulled out her phone and opened her messages. “Fine,” she said, scrolling to Y/n’s name. “She texted me late last night. Just said it was nice meeting me and asked if I was free for dinner after Christmas.”

The table erupted into cheers and teasing whistles.

“Sophia, you’re living the rom-com dream,” Lara said with a warm smile. “Accidental meet-cute, sparks flying, and now a date? It’s perfect.”

“I’m happy for you,” Megan added, her voice softer but genuine. “Y/n seems sweet.”

Sophia couldn’t help but smile as she stared at the message again. “She does, doesn’t she?”

Yoonchae wiggled her eyebrows. “You better bring her around for official approval. We’re not letting just anyone date our leader, you know.”

Sophia rolled her eyes but laughed. “You’re all impossible. But… thanks. I think this might be something special.”

As the girls continued to chatter and tease, the snowfall outside seemed to match the warmth and joy inside. It was a Christmas to remember, not just for Sophia, but for all of them.

As the girls continued their lively banter, Sophia’s phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at it, seeing Y/n’s name pop up with a new message:

Y/n: “Morning! Hope you’re not too sore from the ice rink disaster. 😊 Still on for dinner after Christmas?”

The room fell silent as everyone caught sight of the message.

“Oh, she texted again!” Yoonchae squealed, reaching for the phone, but Sophia snatched it up before she could.

“Stop it!” Sophia said, laughing as she held the phone close to her chest.

“Okay, but you have to tell us what you’re going to say,” Megan pressed, leaning in. “Don’t overthink it, but don’t underthink it either. This is crucial.”

Sophia looked at her phone, debating for a moment. “I’ll just say… ‘Good morning! Not too sore, thankfully. And yes, dinner sounds great.’”

“Boring,” Manon deadpanned.

“It’s fine!” Sophia defended herself. “I’m not trying to be fancy. It’s just a confirmation.”

“Fine, fine,” Daniela said, waving her hand. “But you better let us help you pick out an outfit for this dinner. We can’t let our leader show up looking anything less than stunning.”

“Like I’d ever trust you guys with that,” Sophia teased, earning a chorus of mock protests.

As Sophia hit send, she glanced out the window, where the snow continued to fall softly. It felt like the world was moving slower than usual, giving her time to savor the sweetness of the moment.

Moments later, her phone buzzed again.

Y/n: “Great! I’ll pick you up at 7. Can’t wait to see you again.”

Sophia smiled, her heart skipping a beat. Before she could react, Yoonchae leaned over her shoulder and read the message aloud.

“Oh, she’s smooth,” Yoonchae said, smirking. “You’ve got a keeper, Sophia.”

“Enough,” Sophia groaned, but she couldn’t hide her grin.

Lara tilted her head thoughtfully. “You know, this feels like one of those moments we’re going to look back on and tease you about forever.”

“Like you don’t already have enough material,” Sophia replied dryly, but her expression softened as she looked around at her friends. “I’m glad I have you all here to make this even more embarrassing than it has to be.”

The girls laughed, and the conversation shifted back to holiday plans and their upcoming schedule, but Sophia’s mind lingered on Y/n’s message.

As the day went on, Sophia found herself feeling lighter, and more hopeful. Maybe the holiday magic wasn’t just for fairy tales. Maybe, just maybe, it was real—and she was living in it.

[celebtf]

TAYLOR’S CHRISTMAS SWAP

The agency’s annual Christmas event was in full swing, a dazzling spectacle of lights, laughter, and luxury. Taylor Zakhar Perez was the evening’s center of attention, effortlessly charming everyone with his megawatt smile and confident air. Clad in a perfectly tailored suit, he moved through the crowd like a star in his element.

Near the corner of the room, a Santa sat in an oversized red chair, surrounded by festive decorations and a line of children. This Santa, with his bushy white beard, rosy cheeks, and jiggling belly, seemed straight out of a classic Christmas card. But Taylor saw none of the magic.

“Seriously?” Taylor sneered to his friend. “Who hired that guy? Did he walk in off the street? Look at him—he’s a walking cliché. The beard’s faker than my last co-star’s Botox, and that belly? He’s probably been chugging eggnog since Halloween.”

His friend chuckled nervously. “Come on, Taylor, it’s just for the kids.”

“Yeah, but even kids deserve better acting. Watch this.” Taylor sauntered over, his grin twisting into something smug.

“Hey, Santa,” he said loudly, drawing the attention of nearby partygoers. “Tell me—do you practice that jolly laugh in front of a mirror, or does it come naturally with all the cookies you shove down your throat?”

Santa looked up, his icy blue eyes meeting Taylor’s. He said nothing, but his gaze held an unnerving intensity.

Unfazed, Taylor kept going. “And the beard? Is it glued on, or do you just wake up like that after a long nap? Honestly, I’ve seen mall Santas with better game.”

The room grew quiet as more people turned to watch. Santa stood slowly, his presence towering despite his bulk.

“You think this is a joke, young man?” Santa’s voice was deep and resonant, carrying a weight that made Taylor falter for a split second.

“Relax, old man,” Taylor said with a smirk. “I’m just giving you some pointers. Maybe next year, you can step it up.”

Santa’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. “Perhaps it’s time you learned the weight of the role you so lightly mock.”

Before Taylor could respond, Santa snapped his fingers.

The world around them froze. Conversations stopped mid-word, laughter hung suspended in the air, and even the twinkling lights seemed to pause.

“What the—” Taylor began, but Santa snapped his fingers again.

A strange heat surged through Taylor’s body, starting at his chest and radiating outward. He clutched his stomach as a strange pressure built inside him.

“What’s happening?!” he gasped.

His thick black hair turned ashen gray, the strands lengthening and curling wildly. His smooth, youthful face began to wrinkle, deep crow’s feet etching themselves around his eyes. He reached up in horror as a thick, snow-white beard erupted from his chin, growing longer and fuller with each passing second.

The pressure in his abdomen intensified. His taut, sculpted abs softened, then ballooned outward into a massive, round belly that jiggled with every panicked breath. His toned thighs thickened, straining the seams of his expensive trousers before they reshaped themselves into red velvet pants. His arms and chest swelled, his entire frame growing bulkier and heavier.

“No, no, no!” Taylor cried, his voice deepening into a rich, resonant baritone.

His designer suit shimmered, morphing into a plush red coat trimmed with white fur. Black boots materialized on his feet, their polished surfaces gleaming under the frozen lights. A pair of wire-rimmed glasses appeared in his hand, as if mocking his transformation further.

While Taylor’s body grew heavier and older, Santa’s did the opposite. The heavy weight of his belly receded, replaced by the taut, defined muscles of a man in his prime. His white hair darkened, shortening into a stylish cut that framed his now-youthful face. The thick beard vanished, leaving his jaw clean-shaven and sharp.

Santa flexed his fingers, marveling at the vitality coursing through his veins. He patted his flat stomach, grinning.

“Well, this feels… refreshing,” he said, his voice now identical to Taylor’s. He glanced down at his oversized Santa suit, which hung loosely on his newly slender frame, and laughed. “Guess I’ll need a new wardrobe.”

He turned to Taylor—now the perfect likeness of Santa Claus—and smirked. “How’s it feel, big guy? Heavy, isn’t it? The beard, the belly, the responsibility.”

Taylor stared at his reflection in a nearby ornament, his expression a mix of horror and disbelief.

“This can’t be real!”

“Oh, it’s very real,” Santa said, slipping the glasses onto Taylor’s nose. “You wanted to make fun of Santa? Well, now you are Santa. Merry Christmas.”

He snapped his fingers again.

The room came alive once more, the hum of conversation and laughter resuming as if nothing had happened.

Taylor—now Santa—stood frozen, his oversized red suit fitting him perfectly now.

“Taylor!” someone called, approaching Santa. “Nice touch with the Santa suit! You look amazing!”

Taylor - now Santa ,turned his protests dying in his throat as everyone treated him as if he’d always been the party’s Santa.

Meanwhile, Santa—now Taylor—mingled with ease, his youthful face beaming as he charmed the crowd.

Taylor sank into the oversized chair, his heart pounding as he realized the extent of his predicament. He was no longer the star of the evening. He was Santa Claus.

And somewhere across the room, the real Santa—now free of his ancient role—smiled in satisfaction, knowing he’d delivered the ultimate Christmas lesson.

[yellowjestertfs]

Altered State: Part Five

Alright second to last part! Read Part Four, Three, Two, and One here if you haven't. Just a warning, part is more action oriented then the others but still has the same tf and progression elements. Currently I am in the process of writing the epilogue which is a bit of a mess at the moment so the last part might be a few weeks (sorry) but hopefully not too long. Anyways enjoy and thanks for reading!

Edward's mind worked feverishly, processing his thoughts as fast as he could with his 19 intelligence. Part of him wanted to blow off the quest. The possibility of being a level one wretch, if defeated, seemed too big a risk to take. On the other hand, the love potion offered as a reward was excruciatingly tempting. The decision was made for him, Leon scooped him up in a firm fireman’s hold and then still naked, sprinted out the door and into the cool night, moving at a pace Edward couldn’t quite believe. 

His strides were effortless and long, and even with the added weight of Edward, Leon made an amazing time. The row of frat houses that everyone called “fratrow” was four blocks away. Leon reached in just less than a minute hardly even winded. 

It was fairly obvious which house was Sigma Alpha’s. Besides having the Greek letters emblazoned on its front, it was the only house on the row with loud music and voices coming from the backyard.

Leon set Edward down and it took a few seconds for him to get his bearings. According to Trent’s texts, the Alpha Sigma frat bros weren’t letting anyone leave. Edward had no idea why but he couldn’t imagine it was for any good reason. The backyard, enclosed by a seemingly hastily erected high wooden fence was where everyone was congregated. Two frat guys with their arms crossed stood outside, seemingly guarding the entrance to the backyard, and also the way out. 

Just above the fence, Edward could see the tip of a white-domed object peeking out. It looked like a satellite dish connected to the top of a projector screen connected with random metal scraps and duct tape. Sure enough, Edward could see a place on the side of the large two-story house with loose wires sticking out of it where the satellite dish was presumably held before.

The seconds ticked by. They had less than sixteen minutes remaining. “Alright, I’ll check out the backyard, and see if I can get everyone out. You need to go into the house and see if you can find Hunter or Alvis and shut down whatever it is they are planning” Edward said, the pressure making him decisive. As the one with the highest intelligence, if only by a few points, he felt responsible for making a plan. 

“You want us to split up?” Leon asked incredulously. 

“We have to. Besides you're much better equipped to do actual fighting.” Edward found his eyes drifting over to one of Leon’s strong pump pecs. He suddenly remembered that Leon was naked, a very easy thing to forget with Leon’s Naked Confidence perk. That meant he wasn’t carrying a phone, not that that would have been useful with Edward’s being basically dead. “If either one of us is in trouble make a bird sound or something. 

“A bird sound, are you for real?” Leon asked rolling his eyes. The comment broke Edward’s moment of seriousness and he moved to punch his friend in the arm, but then remembered the effect of his touch and thought better of it. 

“Shut up. Just call for help.” They now had only fifteen minutes left. “We got to go, stay safe.”

Edward pounded a fist against his muscular chest and faint hollow metallic sounds rang out. “Don’t worry about me.” Then in a genuine tender way, Edward hardly ever heard his friend use “you be safe too. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Edward felt his heart skip a beat. This was not the time to be having these feelings but god damn was Leon good at giving mixed signals. “Bet you I’ll get take out more frat guys than you.” Leon challenged.

“Suck my dick” was all Edward said. 

“Fine, but if I win you have to suck mine.” Leon shot back. 

“You're so on,” Edward said as the two snuck forward. Edward headed for the backyard, and Leon went up the stairs and to the front door of the frat. Once Edward got closer he could make out the two frat guys stationed at the door. He didn't recognize either of them. They looked young, maybe recent pledges. Edward wasn’t overly surprised when he saw they had floating names above their heads with classes and levels, but he thought it would make this a whole lot more difficult.

Luckily neither of the two guards was very high level. The one on the right had a floating tag above him that labeled him as Broden, a level four Jock. The other guy was a stranger. He wore a suit jacket and tie on top and only his boxers on the bottom. His name was Harold and he was only level two in a class called an Oil Baron. Edward shuddered to think about what type of boosts a class like that would give, though if these classes followed the pattern his and Leon’s did, which was hardly a guarantee, they hopefully wouldn’t have any abilities or techniques unlocked until level five. 

Edward adopted his best approximation of a bro walk and strode forward with all the confidence he could muster. The two young frat guys seemed as if they were about to say something but stopped when they saw the name and level above his name. 

“Yoo, what are you two bozos still doing here?” Edward asked in a dumb voice. He overdid it a bit and sounded like a caveman instead of a frat guy, but he hoped his high charisma and perks might make up the difference.

The two pledges just looked at him blankly. “Hunter sent you two out to get more duct tape like an hour ago. He’s going to be so pissed.”

“But bro, Hunter told us not to leave this door,” The Jock said, in a slow confused way that made it clear his class wasn’t giving him any boosts to intelligence.

“Don’t worry about it bro, I got it. No one gets in or out, I know the deal.”

The Oil Baron opened his mouth to object but a loud crash interrupted him. Edward suspected that was Leon making his entrance. Subtly had never been his strong suit. 

“Shit bro, that’s Hunter. You can’t let him find you here, I’ll cover for you don’t worry” Edward said. Fear instantly burned in both their eyes. Without another word, they both sprinted into the night. Edward waited until they were a few streetlights away before he opened the makeshift gate. The quest “defeat lesser members” changed from 0/26 to 2/26. As Edward watched that number went up to 3/26 then 4/26, presumably thanks to Leon. Edward would have to work faster if he wanted to win their bet.

Inside the party was packed like sardines. Judging from Trent’s texts Edward had expected people to be clambering to get out by the door but most people still danced and drank, unaware that they had been unable to leave in the first place. Edward navigated his way through the backyard. It was then that Edward missed the invisibility of being ugly. The second he entered the party nearly everyone was all over him. Strangers started to grind up on him, offered him drinks, and tried to chat him up. It made moving through the crowd a nightmare. His perks didn’t help matters either. His pheromones caused the people flirting around him to progress to making out and caused those already making out to progress further into outright indecent behavior. Edward did his best to avoid skin-to-skin contact but it was inevitable in a crowd so packed, he heard several yelps as people suddenly felt orgasmic pleasure on their skin anywhere Edward’s hands accidentally. 

Eventually, Edward reached the bubble of relative calm around the projector screen. He saw Trent and Tag talking to each other in low voices by one side of the fence, clearly unaware that the way out was open now. Edward briefly thought about going over to them but he knew neither would recognize him and he didn't have time for lengthy explanations. He needed to get everyone out, and quick. 

Edward glanced and saw two more frat guys standing by the door to the house while four others worked on the projector, taping wires down to the ground that led inside the house. All six had names, classes, and levels above their heads. Edward stopped walking realizing if he could see their level then they could undoubtedly see his. Sure enough, a level nine Keg Commander started walking towards him briskly. He looked older and in charge, and Edward doubted he could resort to trickery to deal with him like before.

Edward ducked back into the crowd, hoping the chaos would obscure his floating name tag. No luck, the Keg Commander along with two other floating tags, a level six Crypto Bro, and a level seven Hype Beast moved towards him. Edward pushed his way through the crowd much less carefully this time. More couples, affected by his pheromones got nasty with each other right there in the backyard, which Edward hoped would make the chase more difficult for his pursuers.

Edward heard a crash from inside the house. He checked the counter to see it was now at 6/26. Edward hoped Leon was being safe. He heard another noise, like a loud bubbling. Edward risked a glance behind him and saw the level nine Keg Commander wave his hand over a beer keg, the thing started shaking violently before it took off into the air like a bottle rocket. 

“Shit” Edward yelled reflexively, diving sideways into a group of guys who all let out sounds of shock and moans of pleasure as Edward pressed up against them. Edward’s dodge hadn’t been necessary. The keg went wide, flying over the party and landing with a bang in the neighbor's yard, spraying the gathered crowd with beer as it flew.

Edward kept moving, circling back around to the wall of the house. Behind him, the hype beast was letting out loud whoops and hollers that seemed to be riling up the crowd even further. The music started to build up to a beat drop and people started to mosh making it even harder for Edward to move through the crowd. Edward spied the source of the music, a giant speaker, at least the height of his chest. One of the frat guys, a level five DJ stood by it, making strange motions with his hands which caused the music to change in volume rapidly in a nauseating way. A plan formed in Edward's mind, with only thirteen minutes left he needed to be bold.

Edward made his way towards the speaker, careful to avoid the Crypto Bro who tried to cut him off. Once he was close Edward rolled up his sleeve and dove out of the crowd, running for the plug connecting the speaker to the outlet. The DJ tried to grab at him but Edward twisted so that he grabbed his arm instead. The bare contact with his flesh and the intense pleasure that resulted from it was enough to cause the DJ to drop his grip. Edward grabbed the plug and yanked. The loud music suddenly cut off, and there was a second of silence as the whole party looked toward the speaker questioningly. Edward took advantage of that moment. He climbed on top of the speaker and screamed a word as loud as he could manage. 

“Flee” he yelled, the word echoing loud and powerful as he imbued it with the energy of his Silver Tongue technique. His energy pool which had fully regenerated in the hours he had spent with Leon now dropped to 14/19. 

The effect was immediate and jarring. Every single person at the party fled in a wave emanating from Edward. The exit quickly clogged as hundreds of people all tried to leave the party at once. Edward watched horrified at the stampede he had created as students pushed at each other to get out as if death itself were chasing after them. Some students in their haste to get out decided to climb the tall fence, jumping off it into the neighboring yards before continuing to run into the night. 

In a matter of seconds, the entire backyard was empty and silent. Edward stood on the speaker, amazed at his own power. Though he had feared someone might be trampled it seemed that everyone had gotten out safe at least. It was a good reminder to him though that he needed to be careful with this power. 

His words had caught up a fair number of the frat guys causing them to flee as well. The counter now read 15/26, though he wasn’t sure how many of those he could take credit for. Still, Edward suspected he was kicking Leon’s ass when it came to their bet. He also noted that the quest item “Put a stop to the legion’s plans” was still marked as incomplete, meaning whatever it was they were planning involved more than just trapping students in their backyard. Edward thought of the love potion again and felt a nauseating mix of hope and guilt.  

Edward didn't have long to revel in his victory. From the second floor, he heard another loud crash then the unmistakable sound of an Owl’s hoot, or Leon’s best attempt at one, in truth it sounded more like a fart noise.

In a second Edward was off the speaker and racing toward the house. He entered a side door into the kitchen. Six low-level frat guys were inside, protected from Edward’s ability by the thick glass door. All of them were looking at the empty backyard in shock. They were even more shocked when the level eleven Snake charmer ran in. 

Edward didn’t have a thought in his head except the safety of his best friend. “Defend me,” he said, embossing the words with another ten of his remaining energy points, leaving him with only four more. Instantly the frat guy's faces went from confused to blank as they robotically followed him into the hallway and up the stairs as Edward followed where the wires connecting to the project screen led.

Edward raced upwards two stairs at a time towards the sounds of voices and struggles. A circle of frat guys, most of them level ten or higher encircled the kneeling form of Leon. Two purple and white bands bound both of Leon's wrists to the floor despite the obvious effort he was exerting to free himself.  A level fourteen Pledge Master with a sinister look to him held a red solo cup to Leon’s lips and was saying something in a low scolding voice too soft for Edward to hear with all the blood rushing in his ears.

Edward let out a yell as he and his frat protectors charged forward in the doomed defense of his best friend.

-

Leon strained at the colorful bamboo restraints binding him to the floor. The harder he struggled the tighter the traps bound him. He activated his Inner Strength ability and wrenched upwards, it was a bad idea. The sudden burst of strength was redoubled against him and he was forced to his knees, naked body beginning to sweat with the effort. Above him the level thirteen Prankster laughed. He had the same flawless complexion as Edward that indicated a high charisma, only his features looked mischievous and impish, nothing like the kind angelic features of his friend. 

Leon still found it hard to believe that god of a man he had slept with was Edward. And yet when he looked hard he could see the resemblance. His eyes had the same gentle genuineness in them, his lips, now thick and oh so kissable, still twitched the same way when he wanted to laugh but was trying to be serious. 

The Prankster above Edward let out a laugh that bordered on deranged as he watched Leon struggle. He and his other two frat brothers circled around Leon, a level ten Drug Pusher, and a level eleven Vape Mage, moved aside for a new figure. This one, a tall skinny man with dark hair and dark handsome features that made it clear he was also a charisma class, walked forward. His dark perfect eyebrows arched sharply, making him look like a cartoon villain. The floating name tag above him listed him as a level fourteen Pledge Master. Leon recognized him as one of them men who had been with Hunter earlier that day during the with the Dagorhir players, thought he hadn’t been nearly so handsome or intimidating when they had first clashed. Those events now felt like a lifetime ago. 

His hands glowed with an eerie brown light then a red solo cup appeared in them, full of a sloshing brown liquid inside Leon didn’t think was beer. “We have a new pledge I see. Hunter told me to watch out for you.” He took a step closer and a strange aura washed over Leon, he suddenly felt as if he would do anything this man told him to. It made him sick, nothing like the warm feeling he got from being around Edward. “You can join our frat if that's what you really want, but first don’t you know that new pledges have to suffer.” 

Leon blanched. He hoped Edward hadn’t heard the bird sound he had made when he was first trapped. He hoped Edward would escape now while he could. These frat guys were too powerful, too high-level. Leon had no idea how they had managed to gain so much experience in such little time. They must have received their classes after Leon and Edward had and yet even the two Leon had faced downstairs had been nearly his equal in level.

Leon supposed he and Edward could have been faster if they had been more efficient, and hadn’t spent several hours fucking like bunnies. Still, if those were to be Leon’s last moments on earth he was endlessly glad at how he spent them. He only wished he had told Edward how he felt, though that would require him to first understand what it was he felt, which was mostly confused.

Since the day they met in freshman orientation, Edward had been his best friend, his partner in everything. There had never been even a hint of anything more though. Leon was straight and Edward wasn’t interested in him besides. Now their dynamic had shifted. For Leon it wasn’t so much a big deal he had slept with a man, sure that was new, but his attraction for Edward burned just as bright, if not brighter than any he had for a woman. The part that was making him so on edge was the fact that it was with Edward. 

Leon knew with the way Edward now looked he could have any man he wanted. There would be no reason for him to want anything more than something physical with Leon. And yet Leon could swear that he saw something more than lust in those expressive eyes. He knew it was probably wishful thinking.

It wasn’t particularly worth dwelling on though, considering Leon’s current predicament. He had been so cocky when he had first entered the house. The door had been locked but a quick Inner Strength-enhanced kick busted the thing wide open.

Inside were two frat pledges, just sitting in the entranceway as if they had been expecting him, one, a level eight Louisville Slugger gripped a wooden baseball bat in his hand. The wood was a strange ashen gray as if it had been petrified to stone. The level eight swung his bat hard into the side of Leon’s face.

Leon’s whole skull rung like a bell as the bat that felt more like stone then wood bounded off his armored skull. The man moved to swing again but Leon took a step forward and shaved the man causing him to crash back into the stairwell. The other guard, a level six Tattletale made no move to attack, instead he opened his mouth, and a grating blaring almost robotic alarm came out, filling the whole house. Leon dashed forward and slammed his hand over the man's mouth, muffling the sound but not cutting it off. Leon wrapped his hand around the man's throat and squeezed, careful not to be too rough with his prodigious strength. Within seconds the Tattletale was unconscious. Leon made sure the man was still breathing before moving out of the entranceway. The counter was now at 4/26, meaning he and Edward were tied. Leon needed to move fast if he wanted to win and get another of those life altering blowjobs from Edward. 

Still he paid one last glance at the two unconscious men and noticed something odd. Both of them seemed to be changing, shrinking. The level nine Louisville Slugger was a muscular dude, tall and clearly athletic. Yet as Leon watched the guy's muscles deflated and he shrunk in height. The level above his head changed to seven to six counting down to level one as his stats drained away. Finally, as the guy started to look plainly average his class switched to one called a “Wretch” and he was defeated further, losing muscle height and likely some charisma based on the way his face twisted unattractively and broke out with acne. The Tattletale also lost much of his charisma-enhanced beauty and became an equally pathetic level-one wretch with his friend. Leon flashed back to the note about the quest being a correctional one. He supposed the two were considered defeated and therefore suffered the punishment of failing the quest. It was a horrifying fate. Leon imagined the muscles and perks he had so come to enjoy draining away and found the thought terrifying. He couldn’t go back to his old life, he wouldn’t.

Both the Tattletale, and the load noise of kicking in the door, had ruined any chance of surprise Leon might have had. He assumed other members of the frat would soon come to investigate the noise, meaning he needed to move. Leon wasn’t exactly sure where though, several hallways with bedroom doors on either side connected to the entranceway, along with hallways connecting to a massive kitchen and eating area that ran along the back of the house. A large lounge for hosting parties or doing school work was to Leon's right, and a set of stairs right in front of him led upwards, presumably to more rooms and potentially another lounge or hang-out area. Leon wasn’t exactly sure what he was looking for, either of the bosses he supposed. He poked around a few of the hallways but they were all abandoned and all the doors were locked. Eventually, Leon decided he should go upstairs. 

That was where the trouble started. Up the stairs, there was a long landing that let off to lots more rooms. In the hallway stood four older-looking frat brothers, all with classes and levels above ten. The Prankster and the Drug Pusher noticed him first, while the Vape Mage, and level twelve Beer Pong Champion stood with their backs to him.

Leon didn’t wait for any of them to react. He rushed forward and shoved the Beer Pong Champion hard. The man went flying into a wall behind. The attack caused Leon to come into proximity with the Drug Pusher which caused his head to start to feel funny, like he was drunk and high at the same time. The effect was unbalancing enough that the Prankster was able to grab his hand. He activated some sort of ability or technique and suddenly through his hand waves of  painful electricity washed through Leon’s whole body. It felt like one of those prank hand buzzers only one hundred times more powerful. His whole body shook, completely unprotected by his armored skin. Leon was too stunned to react as the Prankster used yet another ability on him which caused those bamboo restraints he currently struggled against to bind him to the floor. Leon struggled for a few seconds before he spotted an open window that faced the backyard and made his best approximation of a bird call. 

The three frat guys looked at him funny but they were too cocky with the thrill of their catch that they didn’t seem to care. They called out for the pledge master who came out of a hallway a few moments later. Now Leon looked up at his eerily perfect face and felt a wave of revulsion and loyalty at the same time.

“Let go of him!” Leon snapped his head away from the frat guy's face as he heard a familiar voice yell.  Edward raced up the stairs trailed by six frat guys all also running. Leon could only watch as Edward flung himself at the Pledge Master, skinny body bringing the other man to the ground. To Leon’s surprise, the frat guys who Leon had assumed were chasing Edward rushed into his air, charging their own comrades with first and foot and claw in the case of one guy with the Party Animal class who turned into a puma wearing a party hat before Leon's very eyes. The Vape Mage opened his mouth and a stream of light pink smoke emerged, quickly filling the room and limiting Leon’s slight to only the area directly around him. 

Leon could just make out as the Pledge Master flipped Edward onto his back, pinning him. Edward brought one hand up to rest upon the Pledge Master’s cheek almost lovingly. The man screamed out in orgasmic pleasure and Edward used that moment to break free of his hold and flip him onto his back, the two disappearing from view into the cloud of cotton candy-smelling vape. 

Around him, Edward’s frat guys fought against their own compatriots. Though they had the numbers advantage they were younger, and less high-level, lacking the truly influential perks and abilities to match their opponents. Leon continued to struggle in vain, wanting desperately to join the fight and come to his friend's air.

Edward’s presence was like a strong clean gust of wind, clearing away the other aura and effects that had been clouding Leon’s thoughts, allowing him to think clearly for the first time since he had been trapped. He took a deep breath of the cotton candy fog. All of these classes were thematic. The ability he was trapped in was from the Prankster class, which meant it had something to do with pranks. Leon looked down at the colorful interlocking bamboo pattern of the trap and realized it looked familiar. It reminded him of those Chinese finger traps sold for tickets at arcades or behind glass counters at roller rinks. The trick to those was simple, the harder you pulled the tighter it bound. All Leon had to do was relax. He let his arms fall loose and felt the bounds on his wrist loosen, he relaxed further and suddenly he was free. 

Leon swung about in the cloud of cotton candy smoke. He caught a brief glimpse of a few different frat guys fighting with each other but in the chaos, Leon couldn’t tell which were friends and which were foes. He needed to find Edward. 

At level eleven Leon’s Inner Strength cooldown was at 109 seconds. Though he has used it to try to escape the countdown was almost up. Leon waited the last few seconds then activated the ability, feeling strength surge into his body. Leon splayed his large hands wide, admiring his now considerable wing span, then brought his palms them together with a colossal force that would have likely broken both his hands if not for his armored skin. 

A loud boom shook the room and a pressurized gust of air ripped from his hands. The force wasn’t enough to do more than startle any of the men fighting each other on the ground but it was enough to temporarily clear away the lingering vape cloud in the room. 

Leon instantly spied the Pledge Master and Edward struggling near the stairs, the Pledge Master sat on top of Edward using some ability that made his hands glow brown and seemed to have paralyzed Edward. Leon wasn’t capable of feeling fear anymore but he felt something distinctly like it as he saw his friend helpless on the ground, that and a bubbling red rage he had never felt. As the room once again filled with smoke from the Vape Mage’s mouth Leon rushed towards the pair. He ripped the scrawny Pledge Master off of Edward’s body as easily as he would lift an insect and flung him down the stairs. The man tumbled down, sprawling at the bottom in a heap, out of the fight but still breathing. Leon watched the first level tick away and knew he would soon become a harmless wretch. 

From the ground, Edward looked at him with a mix of awe, fear, and relief. Slowly he regained control of his limbs and then sat up and wrapped his arms around Leon, squeezing tightly onto Leon’s muscular back. Leon laughed feeling an overwhelming flood of relief. He hugged his friend back tight, not caring that the skin-to-skin contact made his naked dick instantly hard. 

Leon continued the embrace until he felt something bounce off his butt. He turned around to see the Beer Pong Master, who he had thought was out of the fight, lift his hand and shoot a ping pong ball out of it with considerable force. More and more shot out in a jet towards the two friends. Leon positioned himself to block Edward from the barrage. The plastic balls stung but his Armored Skin prevented them from doing any real damage. Leon rushed forward and delivered a hard punch to the gut that finally defeated the man who began to turn into a wretch as well. The counter was now at 21/26. Whatever Edward had done outside and to control those guys had taken out a majority of the lesser frat guys. Leon was so relieved that he didn't even care he was losing the bet. He would be glad to give him friend a blowjob if they lived long enough for that.

The pink fog slowly began to clear and he and Edward were left facing down the remaining five frat guys. Edward’s method of control seemed to have warned off and the two remaining, a level seven Party Animal and a level nine Bully looked pissed. Leon readied himself for a fight. He didn't relish the idea of being mauled even with his armored skin but he would do it to protect Edward.

He was spared the trouble. A beam of purple energy shot from Edward’s hand and into the Party Animal. The frat guy's eyes glowed the same purple shade for a second, then he adopted a look of pure horror and ran right past him and Edward down the stairs, a visible wet spot in his pants. Edward had told him about his new emotion bomb ability but he hadn’t known it would be so potent.

Not wasting the opportunity Leon raced forward and quickly subdued the Vape Mage with a punch, then the Drug Pusher with a knee to the chest, then did a quick uppercut which finished off the Bully who went down to the ground groaning as he slowly became a level one wretch.

That left Edward and Leon facing only the Prankster. The sinister-looking man tried the same hand buzzer trick on Leon again but this time he was ready. He grabbed the man's hand and slapped it onto the guy's own chest causing him to electrocute himself instead. 

Finally, alone Leon and Edward stood in trashed hallways breathing heavily. Edward had a small cut on his arm and a blossoming bruise on his perfect symmetrical cheek which gave his handsomeness a rugged quality, a quality broken by his wide innocent grin. “So you want to suck my dick now or later?”

The quest marked itself up to 26/26 and he and Edward both heard a ding as they leveled up. 

“You have reached level twelve. You receive attribute points based on your class: +3 Strength, +1 Charisma, + 0.3 Intelligence.” 

“You have gained a class perk.”

“Punchable Face: If moved to sufficient hostility, creatures are more likely to attack you than your allies. Note: This effect scales off both Strength and Charisma. Note: Creatures with higher intelligence will be more resistant to the effects of this perk.”

Leon felt the now familiar feeling of leveling up as each of his attributes increased. The intelligence gains Leon got at each level were too small to be perceptible, though he supposed he noticed a small difference now that he had an 11.3 compared to his previous base of 8. His charisma boosts per level were larger, though also hard to exactly quantify. When Leon had looked hard in the mirror he had been able to pick out ways his face was a bit more handsome than it had been, thought it was hard though to know what was due to his charisma boosts and what was from the changes to his body composition. Still, his eyes were brighter, his features more symmetrical, and his skin clearer than it had ever been before. Despite gaining twelve points Leon didn't feel like he had gained Edward’s easy effortless charm, though his jokes that always sounded so funny in his head but never when he said them out loud did seem to be landing more frequently and he was starting to pick up on social cues that would have once flown over his head. This level up Leon actually did think he could feel something shifting in his face though he chalked it up to placebo. 

His strength though Leon was sure he could feel. His body stretched another quarter of an inch taller, and he gained another five pounds of muscle, all packed evenly onto his body. Though he didn't store fat according to his Metabolizer perk his muscles didn't have the dehydrated malnourished look of extremely low body fat. Instead, they all looked full and strong, tight on his dark skin. His biceps were like softballs, his legs were becoming thick as tree trunks, and his abs seemed to only get tighter, six-pack verging on an eight-pack. 

Besides him, he saw Edward experience a level-up. It was the first time he had actually witnessed it, last time he had been too busy fucking his friend's ass to see. Now he watched as Edward's already perfect features became somehow more perfect. Leon had thought his skin was flawless before but it now took on a somehow otherworldly shine. His teeth became blindingly white and even straighter, making the grin he shot Leon somehow more adorable and endlessly distracting. His jaw looked like it could open a beer bottle and his hair was so gold it could be spun from hay. Watching his friend change mixed with the proximity to Edward’s pheromones made Leon hard, his massive penis springing forth with the velocity of a jouster.

Leon opened his mouth and then closed it. Edward's beauty had always been distracting before but now he was stunned stupid by his charisma. The act of talking seemed too complex when he looked at Edward so he just sort of moaned and drooled a little. 

Edward had that far-off look that meant he was reading his notifications. He looked up and laughed at Leon’s cross-eyed expression. “Oh god. That’s my new perk.”

“New perk?” Leon asked. His face was all but paralyzed which made his words come out slurred and almost unintelligible. This only made Edward laugh harder. 

“It's called Dazzling Presence. Apparently, it gets less effective the more time you're around me.” Leon felt himself slowly come back to earth, though not fully. He found it intensely difficult to look away from Edward or think in more than caveman “me horny” thoughts.

“I think it's supposed to temporarily stun people when I first interact with them to give me the upper hand. It should wear off soon. Edward squinted his eyes as if he suddenly noticed something, he took a step forward so their faces were only inches apart, a move that was not helpful in Leon’s attempts to break free from his horny hypnotic state. “Oh my god your face!” Edward started laughing again, harder than before.

“What's wrong with my face?” Leon asked concerned. “I got a perk called punchable face.”

“Punchable face?” Edward asked still laughing. “More like a kissable face,” he leaned in and pecked Leon on the lips, the touch making Leon somehow harder. “Go look at yourself in a mirror.”

Leon had enough control now to hobble to one of the communal bathrooms, he stepped over a groaning unconscious level-one wretch, maybe a man who had been the Vape Mage or the Drug Pusher, it was hard to tell them apart now. In the glow of the automatic lights, Leon saw what Edward had meant. He groaned to himself. He had a serious case of Jock Face. He looked like a cartoon high school bully, with thick eyebrows, a broad forehead, head the shape of a square. The mustache he now had was not helping. Small dark beard hairs had already started to grow on his cheeks making him look like a dad coaching little league baseball who took the game too seriously. Leon felt the urge to punch his own reflection.

“It's not that bad” Edward called from the hall, knowing what his friend's reaction would be.

“I look like a Neanderthal!” Leon shouted back. His body was one thing but he had never expected this class to affect his face so much. 

“No, you don’t!” Edward said encouragingly coming into the bathroom to stand beside his friend. “I think it’s fitting. You look like a sexy Viking.”

Leon turned to look at Edward. His presence was still extremely distracting but Leon could now at least have a conversation with his friend. “It's worth it I guess. The perk says people are more likely to attack me now than you.”

Edward rolled his eyes. “Alright, knight in shining armor. If I remember correctly you were the damsel in distress.” 

“Yeah,” Leon said awkwardly color flushing his cheeks, the blush looking strange on his now hyper masculine face. “I’m sorry about that, I got overconfident.”

“No I’m sorry,” Edward said grabbing Leon’s hand in his own. “I sent you in there alone. That was stupid of me, from now on we stick together.”

Leon nodded wordlessly, unable to get anything past the lump in his throat. He didn’t know exactly what he was feeling, not fear, he wasn’t capable of feeling fear but he still felt anxiety and guilt and a deep love for his friend. Suddenly he felt it all crash down on him. Everything that had happened in the past ten hours. Even with his Animal endurance perk Leon was exhausted. He realized he hadn’t eaten since that one protein shake so many hours ago. He couldn’t imagine how Edward felt.

Leon glanced at the countdown timer and felt his heart skip a beat as he saw they only had eight minutes left. There would be time to talk to Edward about what he was feeling and where their friendship stood after they completed the quest. 

The main hallway on the second floor led to a set of large wooden double doors. Leon was ready to kick them down but they were unlocked. He poked his head in and wasn’t quite sure what he was seeing. There was a large room, obviously meant for holding mixers and formals. A long bar sat on one end of the room, a dance floor near it. Leon’s attention however was more focused on the contraption directly in front of him. 

It looked like a doomsday device out of a science fiction B movie. A mishmash of repurposed tech and scrap metal welded into a crude but ominous tower of technology. Strips of LED screens, ripped from discarded tablets and smartphones, lined the upper frame, flickering in erratic patterns, casting eerie reflections off the exposed metal. At its core was the familiar “Altered State” video game cartridge, nestled in a nest of wires and circuits that branched out to hacked Wi-Fi routers and a jury-rigged motherboard, all held together by zip ties, duct tape and sheer ingenuity. A large fully extended TV antenna was on the top of the contraption which buzzed and pulsed every few seconds with electricity. Leon hadn’t a single clue that the machine did but it looked intensely complex and dangerous. He had played enough video games to know that to complete the quest he and Edward probably had to destroy the thing. 

There was something else in the room that caught Leon’s eye. A figure paced back and forth in front of the machine, snorting and grunting occasionally as he moved. Leon had seen a lot that had challenged his understanding of reality today but the name tag above the creature's head sent him reeling. Hunter, level seventeen Roided Out Berserker. The Frat president was unrecognizable. He had always been a large man but Hunter now was a giant, eight feet tall, muscles like swollen overly ripe fruit, huge and crawling with protruding veins that looked like worms, glowing a sickly green. He was naked with an inhumanly large penis and a matching set of balls hanging in-between thickly muscled massive hairy legs. His arms were like veiny boulders, his neck a thick stump, and he had a massive roid gut ballooning out his belly.

His face, never particularly handsome was now a twisted mask of permanent anger, more animal than man, and the spark of cruel intelligence that once lived behind his eyes was gone replaced by a feral mindlessness. 

Quietly as he could Leon closed the door and pulled Edward away from it. He relayed what he had seen much to Edward's disbelief. 

Edward’s disbelief grew as Leon told him his hastily constructed plan. “Didn’t I just say we were going to stick together? You're going to get yourself killed if you go in there alone,” Edward insisted trying to talk him out of it. 

“It’s the only way. Besides you can always step in and save me like before,” Leon joked trying to ease his friend's tension. He wasn’t sure if his confidence was warranted or if it was reckless arrogance from his No Fear perk but he just knew he couldn’t bear to see his friend in danger again. Before Edward could further talk him out of it he walked over to a window and ripped down the ratty red curtain, then he marched back over to the set of doors and got ready to open them. “Be safe” Edward said looking at him with those deep soulful eyes.

“I will,” Leon said back tenderly. He wanted to say more, to sweep Edward off his feet and kiss him but the timer was at six minuets. There would be time after if he survived. Besides if they did this right his quest reward might just help Leon show Edward exactly how much he meant to him.

Leon burst through the double doors, red fabric trailing behind him like a cape. “Hey Hunter you ugly motherfucker. They say imitation is the more sincere form of flattery, but I think for you it might just be fattery.” The joke didn't actually make any sense but Leon stopped for a second to admire his on-the-spot wordplay. Maybe his higher charisma was having more of an effect than he had thought. 

Hunter growled and snorted like a bull, staring at Leon with undigested loathing as Leon entered the room. “Me fucking kill you.” He said in deep halting English, like he was Frankenstein’s monster. He and Leon started circling each other like two cats in an ally waiting to pounce. Leon’s new Punchable face perk ensured that Hunter kept his attention on him and not Edward not so subtly head peaking through the doorway. Leon hoped if Hunter did decide to go for Edward he would be stunned by the Snake Charmer's new perk but even so, he was determined to keep the Berserkers attention on himself. Leon waited until he had circled the whole room and his back was to the machine before he shouted.

“Now!” Due to the fast regeneration from his high charisma Edward had regenerated just enough energy points to perform one last Emotion Bomb. A beam of red energy leaped out from his hand, striking Hunter from behind and causing his eyes to glow red for a split second.

Any human part of Hunter left died at the moment as he was overcome by an overwhelming wave of anger and became fully animal in his desire to kill Leon. That was the result Leon was hoping for. He knew he wasn’t stronger then Hunter but he could hopefully be smarter, if he survived long enough. Hunter charged forward hands extended to tear Leon apart. Leon flourished the red fabric in front of him like a matador before jumping away at the last second to avoid the man’s charge.

As Leon had hoped Hunter charged straight into the device Leon had been standing behind. The whole contraption shook with the force, small electrical bits falling off the side. A few of the more ominous-looking red wires connecting to the game disk in the center disconnected but the contraption maintained its structural integrity. Hunter recovered and had somehow grown angrier. Leon flourished the red cape and began to circle again trying to lead Hunter into another charge at the machine. He shouldn’t have known it wouldn’t be so simple.

Hunter activated an ability. It was one similar to Leon’s own Size Up ability except rather than growing in overall proportional size the ability only affected Hunter’s muscles. The veins prominent on his body grew a brighter shade of green for a moment then each one of Hunter’s muscles ballooned to inhuman size, making the man even more grotesque. His dick grew to at least three feet in length and likely would have brushed the floor if it didn't become erect. 

Leon hoped the sudden growth might have decrease the big man's speed but it seemed the opposite was true. Hunter charged at him like a bullet and Leon just barely jumped aside at the last second.

As Leon’s plan crumbled to dust he realized once again Edward had been right. His plan, lure Hunter into charging at the device, toppling the contraption and trapping his foe all in one ironic blow, was a stupid one. The device at the center of the room was large but not nearly large enough to keep the now colossal Hunter pinned. Leon suddenly felt like David facing Goliath without a sling. Still, he had to look as if he was in control lest Edward rush in and do something stupid. Leon at least had a chance against the massive Hunter, but Edward would be trampled in seconds with his unenhanced strength. 

Leon shot Edward’s worried face peeking through the door a cocky wink and gave his makeshift red muleta a showman-like shake. He thought briefly about activating his own size-enhancing ability and decided agains it, he couldn’t overpower Hunter, not when the man had five levels on him. Sizing up would only make him a easier target and the last thing he needed was to get pinned down.

Hunter charged again. This time Leon moved too late, though he dodged Hunter’s attempt to grapple him he was clipped by Hunter's shoulder as he spun away. The slight contact was enough to send Leon skidding across the smooth wooden floors like a rag doll. 

He had no time to recover from the crushing blow. From the floor, he heard the sound of rushing feet. On instinct, Leon activated his Inner Strength ability and launched himself into the air just in time to soar over a rapid charge from Hunter. With momentum and reflexes of the ability, he flipped once in the air before landing on his feet, crouched low next to a windowed wall ready for Hunter’s next attack. The loss of his only safety net for the next 108 seconds would have made him fearful if he could still be. Instead, it made him focused, and ready. In the tumble, he had lost a scrap of red fabric, and seriously injured his left shoulder even through his armored skin. He tried to move his arm and felt a shooting pain, dislocated or broken he couldn’t tell which. He would have to hope his animal endurance would heal it soon. 

Hunter’s charge that Leon had dodged taken him right into the far wall and he had gone through it, revealing a messy bedroom on the other side. Leon guessed that once he started charging it was hard for him to stop. Maybe his original plan had some merit after all. 

Hunter turned back around eyes insane with rage, spit flying from his mouth as he screamed and grunted unintelligibly. For a moment Leon felt bad for what this game had done for him but then he remembered how Hunter had been in life and felt the pity leave him. “Hey, Cassie just called and she said she didn't want to date an Incredible Hulk knockoffs.” Leon wasn’t sure if it was just the loud noise attracting Hunter attention or if the beast could accurately process the jab thrown his relationship. Either way he charged big bare feet tearing up the floor as he rushed at Leon with inhuman speed.

Leon took a deep breath, crossed his fingers, and gave one final wink to Edward, hoping his friend would remember him fondly if this didn't work out, then he ducked and rolled.

Hunter sprung like a cobra. If Leon had still been there the hit would have broken every bone in his body. Leon however was not there, and instead, Hunter charged right into the wall. It was a testament to his strength that he took nearly the whole side of the second floor with him, glass, drywall, bricks, and electrical wires all fell down in a shower of debris as Hunter fell to the dark ground below. Leon had to throw himself forward so as not to go down with the collapsing floor under his feet. He heard a crash then a slash then silence. 

Edward rushed forward and the two of them peered through the giant hole in the house to the yard below. Hunter lay with his swollen belly up floating in the frat's outdoor hot tub, his body having crashed through the tiled roof of the hot tub like paper. Leon watched as Hunter shrunk, first as his ability ran out then as the levels fell away. Hunter began to look like himself again before shrinking further into a scrawny ugly thing labeled as a level one wretch. The quest “Defeat Legion boss” updated itself to 1/2, though the “Stop the Legion’s plans” still remained at 0/1 which was concerning.

“That was amazing,” Edward said voice tender. He looked down at Leon’s shoulder and sucked in a breath. “Does it hurt?”

Leon looked down and winced at the way his muscular shoulder was twisted at an unnatural angle. “Yeah” he answered truthfully laughing weakly. Leon took a deep breath and prepared to pop his shoulder back into place. He didn’t feel fear but he still felt pain.

Edward stopped “may I?” He asked reaching out his hands. Leon nodded and Edward placed his hand on the hard dark metallic surface of his skin. Instantly the pain was replaced with an orgasmic pleasure that felt warm and intensely comforting. Gently at first then harder when Leon didn't flinch Edward wrenched Leon’s shoulder back into its socket. 

Leon smiled up at him. “Thanks,” he said simply, he was too tired to think of a joke or anything more to say. 

“I should be thanking you,” Edward said cheeks flushing. The two of them weren’t normally like this. They normally teased each other like brothers and let the mutual love they had for each other go unspoken. Now all the changes had them flitting about like scared middle schoolers. Leon wanted to wrap Edward up in a big hug and tell him it was alright but it was clear his friend had more to say. 

“Look I know this might not be the time, but I have something to tell you,” Edward said. Leon still found it hard to do anything but think about fucking when he was around Edward but he sensed his friend was serious and tried to pay attention. “I know everything is happening so fast, and our relationship just became physical which I feel bad about. I really didn’t know it was you I promise, but well I like you Leon, I have always liked you and not just in a friend way or a sexual way but also like you in a -“

Leon blinked and suddenly his friend was gone. He heard a faint scream getting more distant. His brain took an embarrassingly long time to process what had just happened. Edward had been right in front of him saying, well Leon couldn’t bring himself to think about what Edward was going to say, when he was ripped through the hole in the wall. Something metal had grabbed him around the waist and hoisted him into the air like a fish on a line.

Leon rushed to the opening and couldn’t quite believe what he saw. On the street a giant thing had Edward in its hand, no claw. It was a machine Leon realized. It looked like it was made from a refrigerator, parts of a playground and a car, all deconstructed and reconstructed into a giant vaguely humanoid mech. Leon felt his blood boil as he saw a red bumper with a familiar license plate. Mother fucker had made his car into a mech. 

Leon’s rage continued to build as he saw Edward struggling to get free. His friend was saying something to the person inside but he was too far for him to hear. Leon looked back at the machine still humming behind him. He grabbed a loose brick from the rubble of the caved-in wall then hurled it at the center motherboard as hard as he could, hoping that would put a stop to whatever the contraptions purpose was. Then he activated his Size Up ability, growing 70% his original size, spine expanding, pecs ballooning, legs growing longer and thicker, penis growing to well over a foot long. His strength doubled and Leon for the first time felt the intoxicating rush of true power. He knew he now had to be one of the strongest man on the entire planet. Leon needed more. He activated his inner strength ability, taking his already monstrous strength to godly levels if but for a moment. Leon bent his legs and then jumped into the cold dark night cracking the floor underneath his feet. He sailed in a long ark landing just behind the mech with a powerful earth shaking impact.

The street outside was cold but his blood boiled hot. Leon couldn’t make out the face of the mech’s driver but he could see the name tag floating above its head, "Alvis, Level 22 Technocrat.” Leon smiled humorlessly and balled up his hands into fists now the size of thanksgiving turkeys. He was going to get back his roommate, his best friend, even if he had to rip apart his other roommate and every machine in the whole city to do so.

[himasgod]

Diluc x Reader

Where you help him pick his grapes at sunset

Where you help him pick grapes and spend the whole day working. Because you spend your time eating grapes instead of working, you end up playing pocky with a grape and sharing a wine in the evening.

The evening light painted the Dawn Winary in golden hues, and the vines seemed to glow as if they were grateful for the warm day. You stood by one of the barrels, admiring the view as Diluc carefully adjusted the last bunch of grapes into a basket.

“You know you don’t have to stay and help me, right?” he said with a slight smile, not looking away from his task.

“And you know I’m not leaving, right?” you replied, crossing your arms with a smile.

Diluc sighed, but there was a spark of amusement in his gaze as he looked up at you. It was rare to see him so relaxed, without the seriousness that usually accompanied him on his night patrols or while he tended to the affairs of the vineyard.

“If you insist…” he murmured, straightening up and offering the basket. “Then at least do something useful.”

“Useful?” you glared at him, feigning indignation as you took the basket. "I've been working all day!"

"Calling eating more grapes than you pick "working" is a bit generous, don't you think?"

You blushed, though you couldn't help but laugh too. It was true: you had succumbed to temptation more than once. The grapes were sweet and juicy, and you didn't regret trying a few… or several.

"It's a necessary quality control" you declared proudly.

So, you grabbed a grape from Diluc's basket, one that looked especially large and juicy, and held it between your fingers.

"I've already done my quality test. Now it's your turn to try them."

And with that, you put your lips into a duck beak shape and held the grape between them. Your plan was malicious but cunning. Diluc looked at you with a raised eyebrow

"So you expect me to taste the quality of my own perfect grapes from your lips?"

You gave a thumbs up smiling as best you could, your lips busy holding the grape between them.

Diluc sighed before placing a hand on your lower back and pulling you a little closer to him. With his other hand, he raised it to your cheek cupping it and with a lazy smile, giving you a slow and soft kiss as he stole the grape from your lips, passing it to his own. He continued kissing you as he savored it a little, before pulling away and saying.

"As perfect as ever"

"The grape or me?"

"Who knows"

With a big smile as if you were a little girl you grabbed the basket and began to deposit the grapes while humming a song, your spirits high.

Diluc shook his head, but his smile didn't disappear. He watched as you carried the basket into the cellar, noticing how the last rays of sunlight illuminated your face. There was something calming about sharing these moments with you, away from the bustle of Mondstadt and the shadows that often haunted him.

“Come here,” he called to you after a while, pointing to a small wooden bench on the porch of his mansion, overlooking the vineyards. In his hands, he held a bottle of red wine he had taken from the cellar.

You joined him, and Diluc poured two glasses before taking a seat beside you.

“This wine is new. I wanted to try it with you before presenting it at Angel's Share. You know I normally hate wine, but a glass won't hurt me."

“With me?” you asked, smiling widely.

“I trust your opinion… when you're not too busy eating the grapes, that is.”

You both laughed, and the moment felt perfect. The night breeze was beginning to blow gently, and the taste of the wine was exquisite. But the best of all was seeing Diluc like this: relaxed, enjoying the present, and sharing with you a lighter, more human side of himself.

“It’s delicious,” you said, smiling as you raised your glass to him. “I think Charles will be delighted.”

“I hope so. But…” Diluc raised his glass, his expression softer than usual. “Even if he wasn’t, this moment is worth it.”

It was in those moments that you realized how much it meant to him to have someone to share the small pleasures of life with.

[rebelssvy]

holiday hero party ✧.*

kirishima x reader

⋆·˚ ༘ *

summary: you meet red riot at a party, a lot of flirting, some back story monologue. bakugo and kaminari come make fun of him. you save him.

i love thinking about flirty but also himbo-ish kiri.. he’s just trying his best ♡︎♡︎

every year the hero association would hold a party for the top hero’s in each country. this year it being held in france. in your country your country you were celebrated, thought of highly. you gained the name ‘queen’ by some of your fans. choosing to be humble, you would laugh off whenever your nickname came up.

so here you were, finishing up your look. wearing a dangerous long dress that paired your skin tone well. pairing it with lots of jewelry. you looked stunning.

arriving at the party, you recognized many people. it was going to be a long night.

it was an hour into the party, feeling utterly exhausted. saying far too many ‘hello’s and ‘thanks you’s for your own good.

some what overwhelmed you made your way over to the bar you stoped dead in your tracks when you ran into a solid wall. looking up you realized it wasn’t a wall but a man..

“oh my gosh i’m so sorry!” you blurted out stumbling backwards to create space.

“no worries pretty girl..” he said staring down at you, charming smile printed on his face. looking up you came to realize it was red riot. you read the events that happened to his class in highschool and always kept track of him since. recently you saw that he saved a pregnant woman from several bullets just by standing infront of her.

you stared at him not knowing what to say. starting to feel vulnerable under the weight of his eyes, you chose to stand tall. remembering who you were you gained some confidence in yourself.

“red riot..right?” you asked him tilting your head his way. you watched as he wore a shocked expression for a minute before a smile replaced his face once again.

“the queen knows of me? i must be blessed!” he laughed out. you cringed at his words. you didn’t like that he thought of you like that, let alone that he also knew who you were.

instantly picking up on your change in demeanor he saved your conversation, “oh you don’t like your little nick name?” he chuckled out, fixing his posture slightly.

“no no i don’t mind it, it’s just i see you as my equal… not like my fan..” you giggled, suddenly feeling very hot.

“let me buy you a drink.” he said before taking your hand and leading you to the bar. you gasped at how charming he was. you felt like you were running behind him as he lead you with large strides.

as you sat down at the bar with him, you took a moment to take him in. staring at his body that was clothed in an all black tux, black dress shoes. if you looked closely there was red accents all across him. very minimal.

he caught your attention with his words “i am a fan by the way.” he said while turning to face you. his confidence shook you slightly.

“is that right?” you questioned him further.

“i saw you on the news in highschool… when you saved that bridge from falling.. is it true you did that while walking home from school? if it is i admire you for being so strong seriously!” he commended you with flushed cheeks. his eyes telling the story that you lived.

you took a second to respond to him, sipping on the drink he payed for. “well yea i guess.. i was walking home from school and someone had a quirk awakening on the bridge. i heard the explosion before i saw one of the beams coming down. i just kinda thought that if i had the power to save them, that’s what i should do..” you realized you rambled to far on and then grew shy waiting for his response.

when you looked back at him you realized that he seriously wasn’t joking about admiring you.

“that’s so fucking cool.” he said before changing his focus to the drink infront of him. as he sipped it you watched his adam’s apple move in his throat. slowly your eyes wandered to all of him.

you decided to make a remark, hoping to see where you actually stood with him. “ok this is going to sounds crazy…” you started. “around the time that i gained some traction from my acts, i saw you on the news.. when your class had all those things happen. i’ve always kept an eye on you since…” you finished.

the look on his face was priceless, shock and disbelief that slowly morphed into curiosity. questioning you he said “you’ve been keeping track on me?”

“i would be lying if i said no.” your drink making its way into your system, surging some needed confidence and energy into you.

“must be my lucky night.” he paused before saying “prettiest girl in the room keeps tabs on me..” before he took his drink into his mouth, eyes never leaving you.

you gasped at his words, suddenly you felt light.

“are you flirting with me?” you asked him with a giggle.

“yes. i am.” he said comfortably, stating his truth. “or at least im trying. im not very good at it.” giggling with you.

“well whatever your doing i think its working” you said reaching for your drink once again. only to realize it was emptied out. frowning slightly at without realizing.

“here,” he signaled over the bartender and ordered you a second drink. also getting you a water. his charisma was overwhelming.

“thank you.” you mumbled out before sipping on your drink again.

the silence over took you once again. you realized how easy it was to talk to him. you really liked him being around you. almost too much, a concerning amount.

“what can i call you? if i can’t call you queen?” he said leaning over to you, you felt the tension change slightly.

“just call me y/n.” you stated.

“how about princess?” he asked softly, lowering himself to your ear. you couldn’t form words. stuttering to a reply, you said.

“you can call me whatever you want.” you said, weakly. soon after your response you started cringing at yourself. bringing yourself to a giggle yet again.

“i’m sorry i can’t take myself seriously!” you laughed out, he laughed with you. “what should i call you red riot?” you asked him.

“just call me ejirou.” he said leaning back in his chair, you noticed his legs fall apart slightly.

you jumped in place when a loud voice boomed behind you.

“kirishima my guy! holy shit no way.” you turned to find a yellow haired man paired with the more popular pro hero dynamight. they closed in on the two of you. making their way to stand behind the two of you. you turned in your chair.

you noticed kirishimas face, it was full of agony.

“this is fucking halarious” the explosive one said. you knew his name was bakugou. but to be honest you were too afraid to call him by his name.

“what’s so funny?” you asked the two standing next to you.

“kirishima here has had a crush on you since highschool. so it’s kinda hard to think your sitting here with him at a holiday party.” the yellow haired once laughed out.

kirishima flushed at their remarks. you noticed all of it. they were obviously close to eachother.

“the queen and red riot, a dream come true.” bakugou laughed out. taunting his friend.

“this is so embarrassing.” kirishima shrugged into his hands.

coming to his rescue you said “well.. funny enough as it is. ive been harboring a crush on red riot for a while.” you shrugged nonchalantly.

bakugou and yellow hairs face dropped into shock. kirishima along with them.

“i’m not trying to be rude but me and ejirou were just about to leave.” you stood up and grabbed his hand. urging him in silence to follow your lead.

“it was nice to meet you two.” you said calmly before dragging him away from the men and to the exit.

after a silent trip to the coat rack and out the door. you finally made your way outside. the cold air frosting over you.

“you really are my hero, princess.” he said from behind you, you turned to meet his eyes.

“it’s no problem. and i meant what i said so.” you watched the air get sucked out of his lungs. taking in his expression, he really was handsome.

“can i take you out sometime princess? like without my friends coming to embarrass me, just me and you.” he smiled softly, praying you would say yes.

years ago this was your dream. funny how things work out like this.

“yes i would like that a lot, ejirou.”

·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:··:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:··:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·

thinking about making a part two when you hard launch, maybe even starting a family. the worlds favorite hero family ♡︎♡︎

[fawninthesnow]

𝐎𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝 & 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝: Pt 3, Silk for Stone

𐙚 Lucius Verus x fem character! 𐙚

Summary: Former Gladiator, Emperor Lucius, takes his rightful property-- the wife of his conquered enemy.

Warnings/Contains: fem character, slow burn, f4m, smut, unprotected sex, spit as lube, cock warming, public hum!l!, h@nd jobs, no proofreading, etc

a/n: slowburn warning!

More on my Master list!

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In the lectica, she sat up on her ankles, taking this time to breastfeed the baby in her arms. “Hopefully you will fall asleep again, my love. I’m blessed you don’t cry as much as you used to.” One of the girl’s hands planted over her mother’s heart as they held each other close.

Soon, they arrived outside the Pantheon, and she was escorted out the lectica by hand. Through the outdoor halls and to--- “Ah! My gods! ARE YOU MAD?!” The woman clutched her child after the spear passed by her head. To the sound of her screams, Lucius lifted his head. “Are you seriously playing right now?! Outside of a temple?!” She screamed at the two guards; however, her eyes were on the man who threw the spear.

The man dropped his shield and ran to the woman. Although the man was strong, almost intimidatingly so; his muscles bulging from his garb, he whined like a child to her, “My deepest apologies, I-“

She huffed, stomping away from him as soon as she saw the emperor. To her surprise, he continued to walk past her. Grabbing his guard by the neck, “Careless, so careless as to not see a woman and her child!? Had you cut open her neck, what then?!”

**

Inside, she stood under the dome. It was not long before the emperor joined her; they stood together in silence as he wiped his knuckles. “Thank you for defending me.” She said, staring at the various sculptures along the walls.

“Yes, of course.” He looked over at her and then back at the sculptures. To her, then the sculptures. “Would you like to sit?”

“No, thank you.” She bounced her daughter in her arms.

“I got word that you refuse to rest in the palace.” The young woman moved around the large space, her gown trailing behind. “Why is that?”

“I am not tired.” She spoke softer than before, passing him.

He studies her expression with a careful eye, “I know when a woman wants to kill me.” The emperor spoke with a chuckle. “You’re not the first.” She smiled with no emotion before sitting on a bench. He sat on the bench across from her and the twos eyes leveled. Her eyes. She is hiding so much. Her pain is so evident, she even walks like a weeping willow tree. Her grief is for more than her husband. “I was born an heir to Rome, however, Rome did not want me. At least, that is what I was told.” His hands clasped, and his deep voice softened. “Now, for a reason I do not know, I can’t remember this. The emperor’s, the twins, who enslaved you and sold you to your husband—their army attacked my home years ago. I too, was brought here as a slave. The one love of my life killed and left discarded in a field of shit; burned along with the men I fought beside. And your husband…” He bit back his anger, knowing none of that was her fault, “Your husband owned me for several months, fed me lies. I understand your pain and anger.”

“You do not know the tip of my pain.”

“May I at least hear?”

“No.” She hushed Yasmeen as she began to whine. “Shh, shh. You are ok, my love. I am here.” Down his spine, a chill ran deep to his tailbone as she murmured tenderly to her child.

“Fadlan ila hadal.” [“Please speak to me”] The woman turned her head to the sound of her native language. “You don’t have to trust me, but let me listen.”

“I am sure you are an honest man. I am sure your people love you. That women lust you and men respect you. I am sure that boys want to be as strong as you are, but I have no intention to seek comfort in the arms of this empire…out of respect for my husband.”

“This is not about him. You know it is not!”

“My personal feelings come last; I am property after all. Nothing will change, so don’t kidnap me and then tell me your life story and expect me to watch your feet, Lucius!” The woman spat before bowing her head in shame. She crossed the line. “I am sorry, Emperor.”

From her arms, he gently takes the child from her. “Hello, Yasmeen.” He turned his gaze to the mother. “I will dismiss it this time. I am aware you are angry…but I do not accept disrespect, not from any man or woman.” Yasmeen put her fingers in his beard, her right hand on his ear. “What can I give you, here in Rome, that will satisfy you?”

“I am thankful for your kindness. I want to know what your plans with me are.”

“I plan to make you a lady of the court. I have already stripped you of your husband’s name and now you may take mine if you’d like. If not, you will be but one name, []. Your daughter will take my name, and should I want you, I will have you.” She turned from him, her gaze on the entrance to the Pantheon.

“And are you like your Mother’s husband or your Father?” His eyebrows furrowed, “You think my husband didn’t speak of you to me?”

“I did not know my Father…and I did not know the late General, my Mother’s husband for long. But from what I do know, they were good men.”

“They killed innocent people all over, what now is, your kingdom. The Roman empire…” She touched the hand of a statue, “was built on top of dead bodies. You should know this.”

“I cannot change the past, unfortunately, My Lady.” He said with a smile, “It hurts me to think of those innocent lives, yes. However, it was not my doing. I want to change Rome for the better, as my father wanted.” He stood, directing a hand outside the Pantheon and to the city. “I am a man who has killed, I have killed many. Allow me to tell you, I am followed by their ghosts every day! I have travelled many months to these countries--- names I cannot pronounce--- to find the wives and children of these men because something in me cannot rest unless I know they are within this city!” The man stepped closer to her, “I know a righteous empire cannot be built on something as fragile as the defeat of another nation. They rise every day! But heed my words when I say that I am like no other man you have stood beside.” His lips moist and a look of determination in his eyes. As he stood before her, his blue and white royal garb caught the light of the torches all throughout the Pantheon. The young woman touched her own lips. She had yet to notice she had bit deeply into them, causing her to bleed. “Are you ok?”

He continued to hold Yasmeen in his left arm as his thumb grazed her lip. “I am fine, thank you.” He offered Yasmeen to her before placing a handkerchief on her lip. He held the side of her head, cleaning the blood off her skin. “Thank you…” His callused fingertips on her skin made her feel as if she were made of silk. Warm to the touch with the scent of bakhoor rose and frankincense, her skin and hair. His nose lightly buried in her curls, he inhaled. His fist closed as he resisted any temptation.

Later that night, they were fanned as they snacked. “Wine?” She declined and continued to dip her olives in hummus. He shrugged, sipping on his fifth cup. “What are you prone to do in your free time?”

“I am a mother. I do not have ‘free-time’.”

“That is unfair to you, no?”

“It can be.” She said, her legs were outstretched on the large lectus that they shared. “And what do you roman men do? Fight each other? Gamble? Screw whores?”

“That just about sums up us roman men.” He said playfully, his thighs parted as he rested his chin on his fist. The emperor’s eyes lingered on her garments. Her blue dress hugged the curves on her body. “Do you read? Books, I mean.”

“Yes, I can read.”

“I know you speak a few languages now. Latin, Somali…?”

“And Arabic.”

His eyebrows raised as he sipped more from the cup, his eyes drifted down to his waist. “Y- I am sorry for uhm…for saying you are not a woman. A mother to a child is a woman.”

“Perhaps…and I accept your apology.” She laughed, “You said I had ‘tender buds’ for breasts. Was it because I was wearing an abaya, and you couldn’t tell?”

“I will not say yes, but I will not say no.”

The two shared a look before she turned around. “I am feeling cool. There’s no need to fan any longer. Thank you.” Her servant bowed before putting away the fan.

“You skin is just…the perfect shade.” He said softly, she almost didn’t catch it. “Leave us!” The emperor said to the servants and guards. The doors to the lounging room closed, “Come here.” She moved closer to him. “Are you a religious woman?”

“I pray…”

“I see. Do you mind if I feel the dress? I never got to touch it before you…” She agreed. His hand, large and firm, caressed her side. She stared in his eyes as his hand moved up higher along her bosom. He felt her hard nipple push on the dress from the opposite side. “Are you cold?” His left hand reached up and held her throat. She shook her head. “You need not lie.” His thumb rested on the skin of her breasts that peeked through the top of her gown.

Pt 4 on the way!

More on my Master list!

follow & like pls

[archivequinn]

Never Have I Ever, Drinking Game.

Summary: Eddie and Steve confess their feelings for each other in a fun drinking game. fluff, happy ending.

Words: 2,767

ao3 link | dividers by @strangergraphics 

Eddie was placing a six-pack of beer on the old but sturdy table in the corner of the caravan, smiling at Steve as he did. "Beers are ready. Even if Robin doesn’t show up, our night won’t be ruined," he said with a teasing tone in his voice.

Steve, slouched in a worn but comfortable armchair in the corner of the caravan, was running his hands through his hair and whining. "I mean, seriously... She didn’t even say why she’s not coming! She just sent a message: ‘I can’t make it today, have fun.’ What does that even mean? I don’t get it!"

Eddie chuckled softly as he opened one of the packs on the table. "Oh, it means that sometimes people change plans. Sad but true. But hey, at least we’ve got a perfect excuse to watch a cheesy horror movie tonight. Plus pizza... That’s non-negotiable."

The interior of the caravan was lit by the warm, slightly yellow glow of Eddie’s lamp. Sitting in the armchair, Steve threw his hands up in exasperation and kept talking. "We were supposed to be three tonight. Like a group. A dynamic trio, you know?"

"Three people, two people, what’s the difference?" Eddie said as he sat at the table and popped open one of the beer bottles. "Be honest, Steve. You’re not really upset about Robin not coming tonight. The real issue is, who’s going to comfort you during those dumb jump scares in the horror movie?"

Steve rolled his eyes and grabbed a beer. "You’re ridiculous. Horror movies don’t scare me."

At that moment, Eddie pulled out an old VHS tape from the cabinet above, holding it up in the air. The cover was worn, and the faded label read “Night of Darkness 3” in scrawled letters. "Are you ready, Harrington? This movie was voted the worst horror film of all time. It’s so bad that people cover their eyes out of secondhand embarrassment."

Steve groaned. "If it’s that bad, why are we even watching it?"

"Because there’s an art to badness." Eddie grinned as he slid the VHS into the player and adjusted a tangled pile of cables next to the TV.

The caravan filled with the bluish glow of the old TV’s flickering screen. Between Eddie’s loud laughter, Steve’s grumbling, and the dramatic music of the outdated horror film, the night slowly took shape.

Eddie rolled his eyes as he noticed Steve continuing to complain. Even the terrible horror movie playing on the TV wasn’t enough to distract Steve from Robin’s absence. Meanwhile, a slow grin spread across Eddie’s face. He had a brilliant idea. A perfect way to shut Steve up and have a little fun.

"Alright, Harrington, cut it out. We can’t let the night go to waste just because Robin’s not here. I’ve got a proposition for you," Eddie said, his grin impossible to hide.

Steve looked up at him, his expression skeptical. "What kind of proposition?"

Eddie got up, grabbed a handful of shot glasses from the table, and headed toward the kitchen. “We’re going to play a game,” he said without looking back. Opening the cupboard, he started pulling out various drinks: beer, whiskey, red wine, white wine, and a mixed cocktail. He brought them all to the table and began filling the shot glasses.

Steve frowned as he watched him. “What’s this? A drinking party?”

Eddie shook his head, laughing as he handled the bottles. “Much more than that, Harrington. This is a drinking game. It’s called Never Have I Ever. Here are the rules: We sit across from each other, raise our hands, and take turns saying something we’ve never done in our lives. If the other person has done it, they put a finger down and take a random shot from the table. You can’t choose what you drink—it’s all up to chance. Whoever runs out of fingers first loses. Got it?”

Steve squinted at him. “Alright, but… what if I put down all my fingers at once? Or keep picking the wrong glass?”

Eddie barely held back his laughter. “That’s the fun of it. Nobody wins, everyone loses. But at least we’ll laugh a lot. So, what do you say? Got the guts?”

Steve couldn’t resist Eddie’s challenge and crossed his arms. “I’m not scared of some dumb drinking game!”

Eddie grinned and gestured with both hands. “Hands up, Harrington. I’ll start: Never have I ever flown on a plane.”

Steve gave him an annoyed look. “Seriously? That’s your opening question?” Shaking his head, he put down one finger and grabbed a random shot. He had picked the cocktail. After taking a sip, he raised an eyebrow slightly. “What is this? A tropical candy?”

Eddie responded with laughter. “Oh, Harrington, this is just the beginning. Your turn. Be creative.”

Steve took a deep breath, shot Eddie a challenging look, and raised his hands again. “Alright… Never have I ever jumped onto a concert stage.”

Eddie’s grin froze for a moment. “Oh, clever. You’re targeting me on purpose, aren’t you?” Laughing, he put down a finger and took a shot. He’d picked the whiskey. After a sip, he raised his eyebrows and sniffed slightly. “Good one. But remember, when it’s my turn, I won’t hold back.”

The game picked up pace, laughter and drinks creating a cheerful rhythm that echoed through the caravan as they played.

Eddie, blending the burn of the alcohol with his laughter, was pleased to see Steve’s mood improving. Steve’s exaggerated expressions and muttered comments every time he put down a finger and reached for a random shot made Eddie laugh even harder.

Steve, a bit more relaxed, said, “Alright, my turn,” furrowing his brows as he thought. After a moment, he spoke with a sly grin on his face: “Never have I ever… played Dungeons & Dragons.”

Eddie’s eyebrows shot up, and then he dramatically lowered a finger. “Ah, Harrington. You and your ordinary life! But guess what? This only makes me stronger.” He picked a random glass and downed it quickly. When he realized it was wine, he scrunched up his face. “Wine? Seriously? Not my thing, man.”

Steve couldn’t help but laugh. Eddie raised his fingers again, signaling it was his turn. The mischievous grin on his face widened even more. “My turn. Never have I ever… been popular in high school.”

Steve’s laughter stopped abruptly, turning into a strangled groan at Eddie’s words. “Really, Eddie? That’s your move? Can’t you stop targeting me?” He lowered a finger and grabbed a shot glass from the table. This time, it was whiskey. As he sipped, his face twisted, but his defiant glare at Eddie didn’t waver. “You’re going to pay for that.”

Eddie leaned back in his chair, laughing. “Bring it on, Harrington. You’re terrifying me. Your turn.”

Steve thought for a moment with a cheeky grin before speaking. “Never have I ever… used a fake ID to get into a bar.”

Eddie burst into laughter again, reluctantly lowering another finger. “Alright, alright! I admit it, I’ve done it a few times. But for the record, I didn’t get caught.” He grabbed a random shot, relieved to find it was beer this time. “Looks like my luck’s turning around. But that won’t stop me from destroying you with my next confession.”

The game continued, the confessions becoming both funnier and a bit more personal. When Eddie said, “Never have I ever helped someone put gel in their hair,” Steve lowered another finger, rolling his eyes. “The fact that you make it sound like a crime is upsetting,” he retorted in mock indignation.

When Steve declared, “Never have I ever cried during a horror movie,” Eddie had to lower a finger. “But it was an emotional moment, okay? It happens in good movies!” he defended himself.

Eventually, both of them were down to their last finger. Eddie leaned back against the couch, smirking lightly as he looked at Steve. “One last move, Harrington. Make it count.”

Eddie’s chaotic yet cozy caravan was filled with the faint haze of alcohol, laughter, and gentle shaking from their movements. Steve leaned his head back against the couch, locking eyes with Eddie. Fueled by the alcohol and feeling the weight in his heart begin to lift, he sensed it was the right moment to let it out.

Eddie noticed the look on Steve’s face and smirked teasingly. “Harrington, judging by how hard you’re thinking, is your next move going to be that big? What are you hiding? Come on, let’s hear it.”

Steve took a deep breath, his eyes locked on Eddie’s bright, almost childlike but deeply expressive gaze, and began to speak. “Never have I ever… admitted to someone, especially someone, that I’m truly in love with them.”

Eddie’s laughter stopped abruptly. The sudden shift in mood left him staring at Steve in surprise. “Wow, that’s… that’s a big one, man. I mean, yeah, not the usual kind of thing to say during this game. But… solid move. So, in that case, I guess—”

Steve noticed Eddie trying to brush it off lightly and cut him off. “No, Eddie. I’m not done.”

That statement snapped Eddie’s full attention back to him. The determination in Steve’s expression cut through the air like a knife. Eddie, who had been casually slouched in his seat, straightened up and leaned slightly closer. “Alright, Harrington. I’m listening. Who’s the lucky person? Who’s got you all serious like this?”

Steve hesitated for a moment, studying Eddie’s slightly bewildered but curious face under the dim light of the caravan. It felt as if the rest of the world had disappeared, leaving just the two of them in a heavy silence. “That person...” Steve said, his voice slow but resolute. “That person is you, Eddie.”

Eddie froze in his seat, the weight of Steve’s words landing like a thunderclap. For a moment, he couldn’t speak. The sincerity in Steve’s eyes burned so intensely that Eddie knew instantly this wasn’t a joke.

“Harrington...” Eddie swallowed, searching for words. His face was a mixture of surprise, a faint smile, and a trace of confusion. “This… this is something you say in a drinking game? Or are you actually...”

Steve cut him off again, leaning in slightly. “Eddie, this isn’t a game. It’s not a joke. I’ve felt this way for a long time, but I didn’t know how to say it. Maybe I was scared. But now, here we are, and I have to tell you. Because I can’t keep it to myself anymore.”

Eddie just sat there, staring at Steve, clearly not expecting this kind of confession. Words seemed to elude him, an unusual occurrence for someone so quick-witted. His hands unconsciously gripped his glass tightly.

Steve grew uneasy at Eddie’s lack of response. “Eddie...” he said softly, almost timidly. “Say something, please. If… if this was a mistake or if it makes you uncomfortable...”

Eddie took a deep breath and finally spoke. “Hold on, Steve. This... I mean... are you serious? Really?” His voice wavered slightly, making him appear more vulnerable than Steve had ever seen.

Steve looked into Eddie’s eyes and, summoning every ounce of courage, nodded. “Yes, Eddie. I’m serious. But don’t you understand why it scared me so much to say this? You... you’re different. I never knew how to approach you. Because… what if you rejected me?”

Eddie was still in shock. He ran a hand through his hair and leaned back against the couch. “This... how long have you felt this way?”

Steve lowered his head slightly and sighed. “I don’t know. I can’t remember exactly when it started. But I think the first time I truly felt it was when we were walking and talking together in that damn Upside Down. Watching you, I thought... this guy is someone special. It was hard to admit how I felt at that moment. Because… because you’re the complete opposite of everything I am.”

Eddie let out a sarcastic laugh, but it was nothing more than an attempt to mask his astonishment. “And that’s why you said nothing? Seriously, Steve? God...” He paused for a moment, then averted his gaze from Steve and added, “You know what’s ironic? I’ve... I’ve had feelings for you since high school.”

Steve’s face froze entirely. “What?” he whispered in disbelief. “Eddie, are you... are you serious?!”

Eddie rolled his eyes, though it was just another way to cover up his shyness. “I’m serious, Harrington. But you, Steve Harrington, were the King of Hawkins High. Popular, handsome, the guy everyone chased after. And who was I? A ‘freak,’ the outcast kid. How could I have said anything to you?”

Hearing Eddie’s words, Steve almost flinched as though in pain. “But Eddie… you… how did I not see it? God, I wish I had been braver.”

Eddie shook his head, a bittersweet smile playing on his lips. “If you couldn’t be brave, neither could I. Because I felt the same fear. The fear of losing you. Even when there was the slightest hint of friendship between us, I didn’t want to risk it. And… tonight, when Robin didn’t come, I realized being alone with you scared me. Because I knew exactly how I’d feel.”

Steve became even more emotional at this confession. “That’s why I was a little nervous today, too. But Eddie... the fact that tonight started as just another game night has already made it one of the best moments of my life. Because now, I’m not hiding. And I’m not carrying the fear of losing you. No matter what, I had to tell you this.”

Eddie’s smile slowly faded as he gazed into Steve’s eyes. Steve’s eyes were glistening, fighting back tears. His lips quivered slightly. “Eddie... but what if... what if I made a mistake tonight? What if... what if I ruined everything?” he said, his voice cracking and low.

Eddie immediately grew serious, reaching out to take Steve’s hands in his own. “Hey, hey. Listen to me. This is not a mistake. It’s never a mistake. Everything you’ve said, everything you’ve felt, it’s all real. And I’m here. I’m right here with you.”

Steve nodded, taking a deep breath. “But I’m scared, Eddie. Even just sitting here with you... the possibility that everything could go wrong is killing me. Maybe… maybe I was too open.”

Eddie leaned in closer to Steve’s face, his brown eyes radiating a heartfelt warmth. “Steve Harrington, you are the bravest person in the world. What you did—opening your heart to me—is the biggest thing anyone could do. And know this: I feel the same way. We don’t have to rush this. But there’s one thing you need to know: everything is okay. You and me... this feels so much more right than you think.”

Steve, Eddie’s words seemed to calm him down a little, though he still couldn’t hide the emotional expression on his face. He smiled faintly, licking his lips for a moment before nodding. “So... Eddie, can I ask you something?”

Eddie raised his eyebrows slightly. “Of course. Ask away.”

Steve cleared his throat and spoke a bit shyly. “Who won the game?”

Eddie stayed silent for a moment, then smiled and shook his head. “We both did. Something far more important than any game.”

Steve paused at those words, then leaned in closer to Eddie. “Eddie... I... thank you. For accepting me like this, for seeing me for who I am.”

Eddie tilted his head gently and lightly touched Steve’s cheeks. “You don’t have to say that. I’ve already accepted everything about you long ago. And if you’ll let me... I’d like to try something.”

Steve’s eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t hesitate for even a second before nodding. “I’ll let you.”

Eddie smiled softly as he leaned toward Steve. The distance between them gradually disappeared, their breaths mingling. And finally, Eddie’s lips brushed against Steve’s. It was a kiss that felt soft, gentle, and like the beginning of everything.

After the kiss, Eddie pulled back slightly and murmured with a smile, “I’ve been waiting for that for a long time.”

Steve, still looking slightly stunned and bashful, gazed at him with a wide smile on his face. “I should’ve done this sooner.”

Eddie couldn’t hold back his laughter, shaking his head. “Maybe now was the right time. But you know what, Harrington? This is a pretty good start.”

And in the dim light of the trailer, an old horror movie played in the background. But tonight, neither of them cared to watch. They were about to star in their own movie.

taglist: @t-folklore13 @multyfangirl @nicholaschavezslut69

[margeoww]

Between Karts and Confessions

back to my main masterlist

pairing: carlos sainz x gn!reader

summary: A playful kart race with Carlos Sainz Jr. turns into something more when a heartfelt confession changes everything between you.

warnings: fluff. light teasing and playful rivalry.

Working as a data engineer at Ferrari wasn’t easy, but it had its perks. One of them was your dynamic with Carlos Sainz Jr. From the moment you joined the team, he had made it his mission to tease you, calling you “the rookie” despite your proven expertise. Your relationship was a constant back-and-forth of challenges and sarcastic remarks, but there was an unspoken spark neither of you dared to acknowledge.

Today was a rare calm day after a grueling Grand Prix weekend. The team had decided to stay at a private circuit in Italy to relax before heading to the next race. While most of your colleagues were enjoying a barbecue, Carlos walked over to you with his trademark mischievous grin.

“What are you doing sitting here, rookie?” he asked, crossing his arms and looking down at yo

“What are you doing sitting here, rookie?” he asked, crossing his arms and looking down at you.

“Enjoying not staring at data for once. Why?” you replied, raising an eyebrow as you took a bite of bread.

“Perfect. Then you have no excuse to turn down my challenge.”

You rolled your eyes, already sensing trouble, though you knew you wouldn’t resist. Carlos had a knack for pulling you out of your comfort zone.

“What kind of challenge, Sainz?”

He pointed toward the karts parked near the track. They’d been sitting there all day, mostly ignored by the team.

“A race. You against me. Three laps. If I win, you have to listen to something I’ve been meaning to tell you. If you win…” He paused, leaning in with a playful smile. “Pick whatever you want.”

You raised an eyebrow, studying him. It wasn’t the first time Carlos had challenged you, but something about his tone felt different—more serious, despite his usual carefree demeanor.

“Fine. But get ready to lose,” you said, standing up and brushing off your hands.

Carlos laughed, the sound bright and full of confidence.

“I’d love to see you try.”

Minutes later, you were both suited up and ready on the small track. Adjusting your gloves, you glanced over at Carlos, already seated in his kart with the number 55 emblazoned on the side.

“Ready?” he called out, his voice muffled slightly by his helmet.

“More than ready.”

The first lap was pure fun. You traded positions constantly, each trying to outsmart the other. Carlos tried to block you on a tight turn, but you slipped past him on the inside, shooting him a triumphant look.

“That’s cheating!” he yelled, though you could hear the laughter in his voice.

“Is that all you’ve got, Sainz?” you shouted back, grinning.

The second lap got more competitive. Carlos, being the professional driver, had the upper hand, but you held your ground with a few tricks of your own—like swerving just enough to throw him off or splashing water at him when he got too close.

“You’re impossible!” he yelled, laughing as he wiped water off his visor.

“And you’re slow!”

As you entered the final lap, Carlos got serious. He took the lead with a move you couldn’t counter, and despite your best efforts, he crossed the finish line just seconds ahead of you.

He removed his helmet with a triumphant smile as you pulled up beside him, huffing in frustration.

“Not bad for an engineer, but you’re still no driver,” he teased, offering his hand to help you out of the kart.

You swatted his hand away with a mock glare, but took it anyway.

“Alright, a deal’s a deal. What’s so important you had to win to tell me?”

Carlos’s grin faltered for a moment, replaced by something more vulnerable. He looked down briefly, rubbing the back of his neck, before meeting your eyes with a seriousness you rarely saw in him.

“I’ve always known you were special, since the first day. And not just because you’re good at what you do, but because…” He hesitated, his voice softening. “Because you make me want to be better. Even if it’s just to impress you.”

Your heart skipped a beat. Carlos Sainz Jr., the ever-confident, always-joking driver, was standing in front of you, confessing something that felt far deeper than either of you had expected.

Before you could respond, a voice from the paddock called his name, cutting through the moment. Carlos sighed, raising a hand in apology.

“I’m sorry. We’ll talk about this later,” he said.

But before he walked away, he pulled something off his helmet—a small keychain featuring his race number and a handwritten note in Spanish: Para la chica que me hace feliz, incluso en los momentos más difíciles. He placed it in your hand before jogging off to the paddock.

You stood there, staring after him, heart racing as you clutched the keychain. One thing was certain: Carlos Sainz Jr. had just changed everything.

[lyslsstuff]

Landoscar+27

There were two asking for this ( @leftneb) for two different pairings so heres the both of them

Carlandoscar + Body Writing for this kink meme list

word count : 906

Oscar lay sprawled across the bed, his chest still heaving as he tried to catch his breath. The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional rustle of sheets as Lando and Carlos shifted beside him. His body was a blissful mess of exhaustion and satisfaction, his skin still tingling from the sheer intensity of it.

It was undeniably perfect, what they had spent together. That he could barely think straight. The way Carlos had held him so firmly, guiding him through every shattering moment, and the way Lando’s lips had explored his body like it was their sole purpose, left Oscar utterly spent.

As he lay there, his head resting on his folded arms, he felt the mattress dip slightly. Turning his head just enough to see, he found Lando kneeling beside him, a mischievous glint in his eyes that immediately made Oscar wary.

“What’s that look for?” Oscar asked, though his voice betrayed how utterly relaxed he felt.

Lando’s grin widened as he held up a marker, twirling it between his fingers like it was the most natural thing in the world. “You’ll see,” he said, leaning in closer.

Oscar raised an eyebrow, shifting slightly on the bed. “A marker? Seriously?”

Carlos chuckled, his rich, accented laugh sending a shiver down Oscar’s spine. “You’ll like this,” he said from the other side of the bed, where he lounged casually, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement.

Before Oscar could protest, Lando placed a steadying hand on his lower back, his thumb brushing gently against the curve of his spine. “Hold still,” Lando teased, his voice light but full of affection.

Oscar’s heart skipped a beat as the cool tip of the marker touched his skin, just above the curve of his backside. He tensed slightly, the sensation unfamiliar but not unwelcome.

“Relax,” Carlos murmured, shifting closer until Oscar felt his hand rest reassuringly on his shoulder.

The feeling of Lando’s precise strokes as he wrote sent a strange mixture of nerves and excitement coursing through Oscar’s body. The thought of them marking him like this was oddly intimate, and, dare he admit it, hot.

“What are you even writing?” Oscar asked, his voice muffled as he buried his face in his arms to hide his growing blush.

“You’ll see,” Lando said with a playful lilt, pausing to blow lightly on the ink to dry it.

Oscar bit his lip, his mind racing. The sensation of Lando’s fingers brushing against his skin as he adjusted his grip sent a shiver through him. He couldn’t deny how much he loved the way they made him feel—wanted, claimed, theirs.

When Lando finally finished, Carlos took the marker from him, his expression softening as he moved into place. “My turn,” Carlos said, his voice a low murmur that made Oscar’s stomach flip.

Carlos’ strokes were slower, more calculated, and Oscar could feel the difference in their touches. Where Lando had been quick and playful, Carlos was deliberate, almost as if it was his duty. The cool glide of the marker over his skin and the warmth of Carlos’ hand steadying him made his breath hitch.

“You like this, don’t you?” Carlos teased, his voice dark and smooth as his free hand gently traced over Oscar’s side.

Oscar shifted slightly, his body betraying him as he let out a soft sound of agreement. “Maybe,” he muttered, unable to meet Carlos’ gaze.

Lando laughed, leaning down to press a quick, playful kiss to the back of Oscar’s neck. “You’re so easy to read,” he said, his voice tinged with affection.

When Carlos finished, he set the marker aside and leaned down, his lips brushing against the back of Oscar’s neck. “All done,” he murmured, pressing a kiss there that sent a fresh wave of heat through Oscar’s body.

“Okay, what did you two write?” Oscar asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and nerves.

Lando grabbed his phone, snapping a quick picture before showing it to Oscar. The sight of their names, scrawled boldly across the curve of his backside—Lando’s in messy, looping letters, and Carlos’ in neat, precise script—made Oscar’s cheeks burn.

“Seriously?” he said, though he couldn’t keep the smile off his face.

“Seriously,” Lando replied, leaning in to kiss Oscar’s cheek before trailing his lips to meet Oscar’s in a soft, lingering kiss. It was tender at first, Lando’s lips gentle against his, but it quickly deepened, leaving Oscar breathless all over again.

As Lando pulled back, Carlos pressed closer, his hands sliding along Oscar’s sides as his lips brushed against his ear. “round two?” Carlos asked.

Oscar’s body reacted before his mind could process the words, a shiver running down his spine as he turned his head to meet Carlos’ gaze. The combination of Carlos’ smoldering eyes and Lando’s playful grin was enough to make his pulse quicken.

“I—” Oscar started, but the words caught in his throat as Carlos kissed the curve of his neck, his lips warm and insistent.

“You don’t have to answer,” Carlos murmured against his skin. “But if you do…”

Lando chuckled, brushing his lips against Oscar’s temple. “You’ll just have to let us write a little more afterward,” he teased, his hand trailing over Oscar’s back.

[anonymousewrites]

Apple of My Eye Chapter Fourteen

Harry Hook x Child of Snow White! Reader

Chapter Fourteen: Yo, Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)

Summary: (Y/N) and Harry talk, and Mal gets some unusual "allies" to defeat Audrey.

            Harry laughed wildly as he sped the motorcycle down the small alleys of the Isle. (Y/N) held onto him tightly to avoid falling, watching people and buildings zip past. There was no way Evie, Jay, or Carlos were catching up to them, so they had resigned themself to going along for the ride. It wasn’t as if Harry was going to crash the bike and hurt himself, too, so they felt relatively safe for now.

            “Is it me or the bike that’s got your heart racin’, Highness?” said Harry as they turned a corner tightly and (Y/N) grabbed him tighter.

            “Is it my presence making you show off, or is your driving this bad because you have a death wish?” responded (Y/N).

            “A pirate’s gotta show off when someone charmin’ is around.” Harry applied the brakes abruptly, and they came to a screeching halt in an alley. “But I don’t want to scare ya off.” He hopped off the bike and offered a hand. “Highness?”

            (Y/N) smiled, rolled their eyes, and took his hand as they swung their leg over the bike. They stepped to the ground easily. But Harry still held their hand. (Y/N) looked at him, not making a move to step back. They looked down at their hands, back up at one another, and pulled their hands back.

            “What happens now?” said (Y/N). “Am I being kidnapped again?” They chuckled. “If that’s the plan, I’m going to have to disappoint. We’re a little too busy with other problems, so no ransom this time.”

            Harry grinned. “No kidnapping this time, Highness. I’m not ‘unoriginal,’ remember?”

            “I’m still ‘Highness,’ ” said (Y/N), smirking.

            “I told you, if it pleases you, we can upgrade to ‘love,’ ” said Harry, grinning.

            “Tempting, but I don’t get much out of it,” said (Y/N), smiling.

            “You could,” teased Harry, leaning on the wall.

            (Y/N) laughed, scoffed, and rolled their eyes. Harry’s smile just widened upon seeing their clear amusement. He liked making them smile.

            “Okay, seriously, Harry—”

            “First name basis? I can work with that.”

            “—Why did you take me?” said (Y/N).

            “…The rose.” Harry looked at (Y/N) and tilted his head. “From that Cotil-whatever. It was my sash.”

            (Y/N) looked at him. “It was.”

            “Why?” said Harry.

            “Because you and Uma are right,” said (Y/N). “It’s unfair that you were left behind on the Isle with so many others while Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos were here for so long.” They looked at Harry. “I wanted you to know that I was being honest when I said I wanted to help more VKs. I wasn’t going to forget that there were more people to help.”

            Harry looked at them, and he smiled slightly. “You are an interesting royal, Highness.”

            “You’re an interesting pirate,” replied (Y/N).

            “I try to be,” said Harry, grinning.

            “You succeed,” said (Y/N), smirking. “Other than the kidnapping stuff. That’s cliché.”

            “How can I make it more original?” Harry took a step closer.

            “Certainly not by flirting with me, I’ve read a hundred books like that,” said (Y/N), playfully stepping away from me.

            “Ya like pirates?” said Harry, leaning in and tilting his head.

            “Oh, sure,” said (Y/N). “I like stories where they get beaten by valiant, brave sailors.” They smiled brightly.

            “Pity. I like the ones where they win,” said Harry, smirking.

            “A true pity,” said (Y/N).

            “And if it was a pirate like meself?” said Harry.

            “We’ll see,” said (Y/N).

            “Will we?” said Harry, his grin softening slightly.

            “Second chances apply to everyone,” said (Y/N). Their gaze was intense as they smiled at him. “And I forgive.”

            “Do you?” said Harry.

            “I’m going to forgive you for kidnapping me twice, so, yes,” said (Y/N), laughing.

            “Suppose I should let ya go so ya can forgive me,” said Harry.

            “Please and thank you, I am quite busy,” said (Y/N).

            Harry bowed. “As you wish, Highness.” He gestured to the exit of the alley. “Out here, go to starboard, you’re home free.”

            “Thank you,” said (Y/N), smiling. They walked to the end of the alley, paused, and looked back. From a pocket, they pulled out a familiar red sash. “When you see me again, you can have this back.”

            Harry grinned. “It’s a deal.”

            (Y/N) laughed and turned the corner.

l

            (Y/N) leaned against the wall at the barrier of the Isle. They brightened when they saw the VKs coming towards them. Evie’s eyes widened.

            “(Y/N)!” Evie ran to them and hugged them. “You’re alright!”

            “We were about to scour the Isle for you,” said Carlos.

            “How did you get away?” said Jay.

            “They were more interested in having fun with the bikes than kidnapping me,” said (Y/N). “Harry was just amusing himself by annoying you.”

            “Sounds like him,” said Mal.

            Evie raised an eyebrow at (Y/N), who just smiled.

            “Did we get the ember?” said (Y/N).

            “We did,” said Mal, holding it up. (Y/N) smiled in relief.

            “Let’s get out of here,” said Jay. He pressed the remote in his hand, and the barrier opened to let them walk through.

            After they stepped through, the ember lit up, coming to life in the magical air. It sparked, and strands of Mal’s hair took on a blue tint.

            “Whoa. You got a little Hades thing going on,” said Evie.

            “That thing packs a punch,” said Carlos.

            “Hopefully it’ll ‘punch’ the sense into Audrey,” said (Y/N).

            “Whoo!”

            The VKs jumped and turned around. Two familiar pirates had leapt through the closing barrier and rolled to their feet. (Y/N)’s eyes widened. It was Harry and Gil.

            “We made it, bro!” said Gil excitedly.

            “We made it!” said Harry, and the pair hugged before grinning wildly at the other VKs and (Y/N). “Hey, guys, we’re just coming for a wee visit.” They stepped forward, and Carlos and Jay blocked their path. “Oh, come on, I told Highness we would see each other again. I’m just keepin’ my word.”

            “How flattering, you’re sneaking out to see me,” said (Y/N).

            “Who else would I see, Highness?” said Harry, grinning.

            “Get back inside the barrier, Hook,” said Jay, pushing him back.

            “Make me, Jay,” said Harry, shoving him back.

            Jay stumbled into Mal, and she accidentally dropped the ember. It clattered to the ground and bounced off the bridge.

            “No!” said Mal, eyes wide.

            “Oh!” gasped (Y/N), trying to reach for it and missing.

            A tentacle reached out and snatched the ember. Everyone’s eyes widened. A familiar face rose from the water. Uma grinned and waved up at the group.

            “Drop something?” she said with a smirk.

            “It can’t get wet!” said Mal. “Give it back before it goes out.”

            “Uma?” exclaimed Harry and Gil.

            “That’s my name,” said Uma. She submerged herself.

            “No!” cried Mal.

            A whirl of water shot into the air and fell across the bridge.

            “Hi, boys,” said Uma, grinning at her crew. She was in a human form and a captain’s uniform again. She still held the ember, glowing, in her hand.

            “Welcome back!” Harry grinned.

            “Uma, you swam off and forgot all about us.” Gil had a disappointed expression as he spoke.

            “Yeah. Planning her revenge, no doubt,” said Mal, crossing her arms.

            “It’s not all about you, Mal,” scoffed Uma. “I was looking for a hole in the barrier to let everybody out. And you know what I found, boys? It’s way better out there than we thought. There’s this thing that looks like a furry rock, called a coconut. And fish so big you could dance on their back.” She smiled wide, ecstatic to share her discoveries with her crew. She glared at Mal and her crew. “And they’ve been keeping it all to themselves.”

            “Whatever.” Mal rolled her eyes. “Uma, I need that to break a spell.” She held out her hand.

            “Cast by Audrey, Sleeping Beauty’s daughter,” said Carlos.

            “So the good guy is the bad guy?” Uma raised a brow and chuckled.

            “Mean girl to evil girl pipeline,” said (Y/N), sighing.

            “Well, I might not give it back,” said Uma, pouting at Mal. “Let’s see what happens.”

            “Uma, this is not the time for games!” snapped Mal. “People’s lives are in danger!”

            Uma just laughed, and Harry and Gil grinned. Mal was pretty easy to read.

            “Guarantee me that every single villain kid who wants to can get off the Isle,” said Uma.

            Nothing selfish. Just asking for freedom. (Y/N) almost smiled. It seemed Uma had grown a little. (Y/N) had been right, she wanted what was best for the Isle.

            “I can’t do that,” said Mal.

            “Can’t do that?” Uma walked to the edge of the bridge and held the ember over the water. “Well, how about now?”

            “Deal!” said Mal instantly. “Deal.”

            Uma pretended to drop the ember and catch it. Everyone gasped.

            “Uma,” said (Y/N). “Her word is good. We were going to bring over VKs more frequently, too, so this is just…faster.” They smiled to try to assuage the tension.

            Uma looked at them and then her crew. Gil shrugged, and Harry nodded. He believed (Y/N)’s words.

            “I��ll still keep this for the time being.” Uma pocketed the ember. She grinned at Mal’s frustration. “Because if you think I trust you to save the world on your own, think again…This is a job for pirates.”

            “Yeah,” said Gil and Harry, grinning.

            “We can always go back to hating each other when this is over,” whispered Jay to Mal.

            “Fine.” Mal was furious.

            “Where are our bikes?” demanded Jay.

            “Oh, yeah. We crashed them,” said Gil brightly.

            Harry imitated an engine, mimed it falling, and made an crashing sound. He winked at (Y/N).

            “Here’s a thought,” said Evie, hands on her hips. “We could try to be friends. Put our history behind us and celebrate our differences.”

            “We’d be pretty strong together,” agreed (Y/N).

            The three pirates looked at the other VKs. All of them looked skeptical.

            “Who wants gum?” offered Evie, popping a piece into her mouth.

            Uma turned away. “Let’s go.”

            “No?” Evie rolled her eyes.

            (Y/N) patted her on the shoulder.

            “Ah,” said Mal as Uma took a step. “No. I’m in charge. Let’s go.”

            Uma rolled her eyes, and they both started walking at the same time. Evie and (Y/N) sighed and followed the group.

             “This is going to be trouble, isn’t it?” said (Y/N).

            “Definitely,” said Evie.

l

            The VKs and (Y/N) walked through the grounds of Auradon Prep. Soft snores echoed around them. People were slumped over tables and benches, completely asleep. The sleeping spell had hit everyone hard.

            “They’re asleep. Everyone,” said Mal as she went through her contacts on her phone. No one was responding. “I can’t get Ben.”

            “Or Dizzy or Doug,” said Mal.

            “Or Jane,” said Carlos.

            “Fairy Godmother isn’t responding,” said (Y/N). “Not good.”

            “Is that Auradon Prep?” said Celia, staring at the academy. Her eyes went wide.

            “Yeah. When everybody wakes up, you’re going to love it,” said Carlos.

            “Yes,” said Celia, fist pumping the air.

            “Everything is so…” Gil stared around him.

            “Freaky,” said Jay.

            “Green,” said Gil. “You have leaves on your trees. And what are those colored things on the bushes?”

            “Flowers?” said Jay.

            “Flowers are pretty,” decided Gil.

            While Gil admired the new plants and fresh food, Harry admired wallets. He grinned as he pulled a wallet from a sleeping student.

            “I believe I deserve some compensation for my muscle, my wiles, and my role in this endeavor,” said Harry, smirking.

            “Harry.” (Y/N) stood over him and put their hands on their hips.

            Harry sighed dramatically. “I’ve got to do some piracy.”

            (Y/N) laughed. “More like pickpocketing.”

            “Ya wound me, Highness,” said Harry. “I am a proper pirate, through and through.” He bowed. He smirked. “Got the swords and wit to prove it.”

            “Is that what you call your shameless flirting?” said (Y/N).

            “Shameless?” Harry raised a brow and chuckled.

            “Is uncontrollable a better word?” said (Y/N).

            “No,” said Harry. He leaned on a tree and winked. “I only flirt with the handsome royals.”

            “Huh. Ben’s taken. I feel sorry for you,” teased (Y/N).

            “Benny ain’t as handsome as you, Highness,” said Harry.

            (Y/N) smiled slightly and fought back their blush. “Still trying to charm me?”

            “I guess I am shameless,” said Harry.

            (Y/N) laughed.

            “Dude!” Carlos ran towards the dog, thankfully alive.

            “He’s awake?” said Evie.

            “Sleeping spells don’t work on animals,” said (Y/N).

            “Dude, do you know what happened here?” asked Carlos.

            “Yup. Audrey showed up. She put everybody to sleep,” said Dude. “And then she turned some of them to—”

            “Guys.” Evie’s eyes widened as she found just what Audrey had done. Statues. There were so many people they recognized frozen in stone. “She turned them to stone.”

            “Alright,” said Mal. “We have to stay on our toes.”

            “Look, since we’re here, let’s check the school,” said Uma, gesturing to Auradon Prep.

            “No,” said Mal decisively. “Audrey went straight for the crown, so, I think it’s safe to assume that she’s gonna go for Ben and his castle next. That’s where we’ll go.”

            “Says who?” said Uma.

            “Says me,” said Mal.

            “Says you. What’s that supposed to mean?”

            “Guys,” said Evie before they could start arguing again. It was an ongoing battle.

            “To the castle,” said Mal, walking off.

            Uma and her crew huffed but followed.

l

            “Ben!” shouted Mal as they walked through the halls of the castle.

            “This way,” said Dude, tracking Ben’s scent as best he could.

            “Ben could be asleep anywhere,” said Mal, groaning.

            “Or turned to stone,” said Celia.

            Evie covered Celia’s mouth as Mal’s eyes widened in panic.

            “Ben!” called (Y/N).

            “I got a scent. Very pungent cologne,” said Dude. “Easy to track. Follow me, people.”

            “Thanks, Dude,” said Carlos.

            “FYI, I give great cuddles,” said Dude, eager to get affection from the newcomers.

            “Cool,” said Gil. “I never had a pet growing up. Well, except for the elk head in Dad’s man cave, but that wasn’t—”

            “Hold up.” Uma put up a hand. She stared at marks on the wall.

            (Y/N) peered closed. They were claw marks. “That can’t be good,” they murmured.

            “Oh, Ben…” said Mal softly.

            “We’ll find him,” said (Y/N).

            “Follow me,” said Dude.

He led them into a presentation hall where suits of armor stood at the walls, swords hung on crests, and a dais for speeches and shows of armor stood in the middle.

            “Ben!” said Mal in frustration.

            Harry admired the suits of armor and the swords. “Would ya duel me with these?”

            “Why not,” said (Y/N). “We save Auradon; we duel.”

            Harry grinned.

            “I bet you lost some sleep thinking about me on the loose?” said Uma, smirking at Mal.

            “No,” said Mal. “Dragons don’t really lose sleep. I wonder what fried octopus tastes like?”

            “Okay, why don’t we not do this?” said Evie.

            “We’re celebrating our differences,” said Uma.

            A laugh echoed through the room. Pink smoke filtered from within a suit of armor.

            “I believe we’re being challenged,” said Harry.

            “We’re getting that duel now,” said (Y/N).

            “Let’s split up and look for Audrey.” Uma and Mal were too busy fighting to listen to them.

            “That makes absolutely no sense!” said Mal. “Unless you give me my ember, she’s going to spell you.”

            “Girls!” shouted Harry as the armor moved.

            “We have a situation here!” said (Y/N).

            “Do you like a prince, Mal?” said Audrey’s voice from the armor. “How about a knight in shining armor? Or knights?”

            All the armor began to move. (Y/N) narrowed their eyes. It was time to go up against Audrey.

Taglist:

@neenieweenie

@hampterfae

@american-idiot-jpg

@lunalixya

@roo024

@unholycheesesnack

@paastaboi

@lbee13

@rory-cakes

@theeghosted

@newttheglue250

@bridkesby

@yappydoo

@echoheartza

@pain-in-the-ashe

@sugarrush-blush

@sanaxo-o

@ara-theo

[little-jana]

Mistletoe Series: 🎄David Rossi (4)

"Holiday Wisdom"

Pairing: mentor!David Rossi x reader

Genre: fluff

Warnings: fatherfigure!Rossi, talk of burnout, forehead kiss

Words: 1.5k

Summary: A fatherly kiss under the mistletoe from a certain Italian.

The BAU Christmas party was in full swing, and it was exactly what I expected from Penelope Garcia—a riot of color and glitter. The bullpen was draped in twinkling lights, garlands hung from every corner, and ornaments dangled from desks and cubicles. The crowning touch was the mistletoe—strategically placed in seemingly every doorway and corner of the room.

It was festive, cheerful, and a little overwhelming. I sipped at a mug of cider, lingering by the dessert table, watching my team. Emily and JJ were by the bar, laughing over something Derek had said. Spencer was standing in a corner, deep in conversation with Rossi, no doubt unloading a detailed history of holiday traditions. Hotch was nearby, his rare, faint smile softened by the glow of the lights.

This was my family. My sometimes dysfunctional, always dependable family. And tonight, for once, we weren’t chasing monsters or piecing together the horrors of human behavior. We were just… us.

“Enjoying yourself?”

I turned to see David Rossi standing beside me, a wine glass in hand, his expression equal parts amused and curious.

“Trying to,” I said with a small smile. “It’s a bit much.”

He smirked, gesturing around the room. “That’s Garcia for you. Go big or go home.”

“She definitely went big,” I replied, my smile widening.

Rossi chuckled, his rich, warm laugh cutting through the noise of the party. “You look like you could use something stronger than cider.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What, like your fancy Chianti?”

He held up his glass, swirling the deep red liquid. “Chianti Classico. Pairs beautifully with everything, including over-the-top Christmas parties.”

“Of course,” I said, rolling my eyes. “You’re insufferable.”

“And yet, you keep me around,” he said, smirking.

There was something comforting about Rossi’s presence. He had a way of grounding people, of offering guidance without being overbearing. From the moment I joined the team, he’d taken me under his wing, doling out advice, teasing me when I needed it, and giving me the occasional nudge in the right direction.

“Seriously, though,” he said, his tone softening. “How are you holding up?”

I hesitated, knowing he’d see through any attempt to brush off the question. “I’m okay,” I said finally. “It’s just… a lot. The cases, the travel, the holidays. Sometimes it feels like I don’t know how to stop.”

Rossi nodded, his expression thoughtful. “That’s the thing about this job. It doesn’t leave much room for balance. But you need to find it, Y/N. Burnout doesn’t just happen—it builds. You’ve got to know when to step back.”

I smiled faintly. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It’s not,” he admitted. “But it’s necessary. Trust me, I’ve been where you are. It’s easy to pour everything into the job and forget about yourself in the process. But if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else.”

I looked at him, surprised by the earnestness in his voice. “You’re really good at this, you know. The whole dad thing.”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “I prefer to think of myself as an older, wiser mentor. But if you want to call me your BAU dad, I won’t argue.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Thanks, Rossi. I mean it.”

He smiled, the kind of warm, genuine smile that always managed to put me at ease.

“Y/N!”

We both turned as Penelope bounded toward us, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She had a sprig of mistletoe in one hand and a step ladder in the other, and I immediately knew where this was going.

“Oh, no,” I muttered.

“Oh, yes,” Penelope said, grinning. “You two are standing in the *perfect* spot.”

“Garcia,” Rossi said, his voice tinged with exasperation.

“Don’t even try to argue,” she said, cutting him off. “Rules are rules. Mistletoe means you’ve got to kiss.”

I groaned, glancing up to confirm that, yes, we were indeed standing directly under a sprig of mistletoe. “This is ridiculous.”

“It’s tradition!” Penelope said, crossing her arms. “And you know how I feel about tradition.”

Rossi sighed, his expression a mix of amusement and resignation. “Fine. But I’m doing this my way.”

Before I could protest, Rossi turned to me, his gaze soft. He stepped closer, resting a hand lightly on my shoulder.

“Merry Christmas, kid,” he said quietly, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to my forehead.

It wasn’t romantic or awkward—it was warm, reassuring, and full of affection. The kind of gesture that reminded me just how much Rossi cared, even if he rarely said it outright.

I blinked up at him, my heart unexpectedly full. “Merry Christmas, Rossi,” I said softly.

Penelope sighed dramatically. “Okay, fine, that was adorable. Not what I was going for, but I’ll take it.”

Rossi chuckled, shaking his head. “Don’t push your luck, Garcia.”

She flounced off in search of her next mistletoe victims, leaving us standing there.

“Thanks,” I said quietly, looking up at him.

“For what?”

“For… being you,” I said, feeling a little foolish but meaning every word.

Rossi smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Anytime, kid.”

As the party continued around us, I couldn’t help but feel grateful—not just for Rossi, but for all of it. This team, this family.

And in that moment, under the twinkling lights and the ridiculous mistletoe, I realized just how lucky I was to have them.

[4only1]

Last Christmas - Secret Santa Part 4 (Final Part)

Featuring: Gun Park, Goo Kim, DG/James Lee, Jibeom + Jihan Kwak & Hudson Ahn Masterlist -----------------------

Gun Park

He called you to his house, well, if you could call it a house. You actually wouldn’t, it’s really more of a shack, but let’s not digress. You were glad you bundled up, the chill of December’s air prickled your skin. Looking over at Gun, you couldn’t figure out how the man was shirtless right now. 

Perhaps it was because he was so focused on the task at hand that he didn’t register the temperature. His hand moved carefully, carving away at the wood he held. The only sound heard was the knife scraping, shaving away to make a shape.

It wasn’t until Gun put the knife down, that you even realized he was done. He took a moment, turning the wooden statue around, scanning for imperfections, before handing it towards you.

You grabbed the stature, following Gun’s lead, and admiring the statue. It took a few seconds, but you noticed how familiar the statue looked. Gun watched as the gears turned in your head, happy that you recognized what he was trying to make.

He carved a little statue of you. 

The silence between you two continued as you admired how good the statue looked. No thanks were needed from you, Gun knew you appreciated it. He could tell by the sparkle in your eyes.

----------------------- Goo Kim

“Hey, HEY BE GENTLE! I got that limited edition and I am letting you hold it, be grateful.” Goo’s voice somehow was more high pitched than usual. He was also being more dramatic than usual.

He hadn’t even let you hold the gift he got you before yelling about how you needed to take care of it. His hands held a precious manga, one that you had mentioned you would like to read. 

It was difficult to find the first volume due to the older age of the series. When you did find the manga, it was quite a hefty price. Lucky you that the man in front of you happens to own the first volume and was graciously gifting it to you. 

If he got over his fit though.

Despite saying he was gifting it to you, he refused to even let it go, holding the manga close to his chest like a child would when asked to share their toy. Goo did act like a child.

“Goo give me the manga, you said it was my gift, stop hogging” You spoke, lunging forward, hands grabbing onto the manga, tugging it towards you.

Despite this, Goo didn’t let go, leading to a tug of war between the two of you for the manga.

“Let go!”

“No it was mine first, I don’t have to give it to you”

“Are you kidding me, I’m telling Gun!”

“TATTLETALE”

“YAAAA”  “YAAA”

Now you both sounded like children.

----------------------- DG/James Lee

DG had thought long and hard about what to give you. Like with everything he did, he planned out every scenario. How would you react to this or would this feel important enough to you?

For a secret santa, he was taking it very seriously. If he were still James Lee, he would have just thrown you a lollipop before walking away. But no, he was no longer that teenager who went about excelling at everything with little effort. He wasn’t about to half ass your gift.

Which brought him to the current dilemma. He had handed you the gift, the one he had spent much thought on, only to be greeted by disapproval on your face.

Disappointment was a better word to describe the emotions you felt when you opened the gift. This man, who was a successful Kpop idol and owned a company, got you an album. His album. His signed album.

He didn’t even write a special message on it, just his stupid signature.

You look at him, lips pressed thin and eyes squinted, shaking your head back and forth. You were clearly disappointed. 

“You know, a signed album only means something if you actually listen to that person’s music. But thanks, I’ll sell this for lots of money.”

Ah, he should have just got you money. That was the obvious choice.

----------------------- Jibeom & Jihan Kwak

Turns out, the Jibeom & Jihan decided it would be best to team up for secret santa. Afterall, what’s better than getting one gift from two people? Probably getting two gifts from two people but let’s not complain. 

It took the two brother’s a lot of thinking to figure out what to get you. They didn’t even ask Jichang for help!

You wish they did.

They stood, side by side in front of you, hiding something behind their back. Each of them had a smile, well, smirk, on their face.

“Close your eyes and hold out your hands” Jihan tells you, so you do.

“This gift is great to take a bath with. The nutrients soak right into your skin.” Jibeom informs you, as your gift is placed in your hands.

You let out a scream as you opened your eyes to see what they had given you.

A snake. A dead snake, but it was still a snake.

You threw your hands up, launching the snake far away, almost prompting Jibeom to chase after it.

“Are you kidding me! What kind of gift is that?” Your yelling caused Jichang to emerge from the nearby building, quickly piecing together what had transpired. 

Soon, the brother’s were on their knees, hands in the air, taking a scolding from Jichang about how terrible of a gift they got you. He made them promise to get you another, better, gift.

You didn’t trust them.

----------------------- Hudson Ahn

“So, what did you get me?” You eagerly ask, clapping your hands together in anticipation.

You didn’t notice the way Hudson swallowed his nerves. His calm demeanor remained on the outside, not showing a hint of worry. He had dragged you along to his master, Taesoo Ma’s, mountain. You assumed he was about to hand you the gift he got. 

A little bird named Jacky told you Hudson pulled your name in the secret santa. You were excited to see what the gift would be. He didn’t appear to bring anything with him, so perhaps it was something small.

Taesoo read Hudson like a book, noting the boy's slight tells that showed he was worried. Hudson took a deep breath before facing you, attempting to pose cool. Ya know, legs spread, elbow on his knee, strong eye contact, nonchalant expression.

“In Ansan, no one comes close to your level, you are unique and exceptional. I am lucky to know you. I gift you 100 points, making you one of Ansan’s finest.” 

Silence is all that followed as you and Taesoo just stared at the boy. The silence lasted a good minute, before you spoke.

“You forgot to get me anything and didn’t remember until I asked you, didn’t you?”

Again silence, until Hudson spoke again.

“Another 100 points”

-----------------------

As you returned home, your eyes gazed over at the pile of gifts you had received for secret santa. The results were…results. You could have done better, maybe next time you will provide clearer rules and a wishlist so people actually get you something you want.

The real question though, is how did all these people manage to pull your name in secret santa?

You didn’t put it in 26 times for nothing.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Welcome to the final part of the secret santa. This was just a fun little series I wanted to do for the holiday's and I am happy with the way it turned out

Fun Facts about the series

I wrote the first three parts before I posted part 1. Part 4 was written while I published each part because I just couldn't figure out Goo or DG.

My favourite part to write was part 2 or 3

Part 4 was originally just going to include just Jihan and not Jibeom, but I decided it made the scenario more fun if I included both.

The very first character's part I wrote was Daniel's and the last was Goo's.

I think the hardest character to write for was DG.

The character I had the most fun writing were Jake, Samuel, Jerry, Gongseob, Jibeom/Jihan & Hudson.

Easiest to write for: Jibeom & Jihan

Hardest to write for: DG (I do not know this man)

[kirby0strombolli]

★彡[ʙᴇɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴇᴇᴋ - ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ]彡★

(p1)

Summary: Ben is in love with his best friend's sister. But he can't be with her like that. Word count: Just under 1.3k !! Warnings: Mentions of smoking, Light cursing! Just pure fluff :) A/n: Been wanting to write for Ben for a while! There are barely any Ben of the week fics!!

As she stumbled out of the bar, her laughter flickered like a neon sign.

Her flushed cheeks and lopsided smile lit up when her eyes met mine, as if she’d found what she’d been searching for.

“C’mon, let’s get you home,” I sighed, stepping closer and offering her my arm.

“No, I can’t drive!” she protested, throwing her hands up, only to lose her balance and fall right into my open arms.

I looked down at her, a small smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. Then, with an unimpressed raise of my eyebrow, I said, “I wasn’t asking you to.”

She squinted at me with mock seriousness, her head tilting slightly. “I’m not really drunk. I never get that… fucked up!” Her words tumbled over each other, betraying her claim.

“Uh-huh." I shrugged off my coat and gently draped it over her shoulders, the weight of it drawing a soft hum from her.

“I’m serious! I’m so sober!” she giggled, leaning into me with all the grace of a baby deer. Her head rested on my shoulder for a moment, and I felt her breath hitch before she exhaled softly, content.

Her fingers clutched at the edges of the coat, pulling it tighter around herself. “You’re warm,” she murmured, her voice quieter now, her defenses melting in the cool night air.

♪ I love to see you shine in the night

Like the diamond you are ♪

I subtly glanced down at her, trying to ignore the way her face glowed under the streetlight, soft and perfect, like it was carved just to make me lose my mind.

There she was, wrapped in my coat, her head resting lightly on my shoulder as we walked. Her warmth seeped through the fabric, and I was doing everything I could to ignore the way it made me feel.

Out of nowhere, she stopped and turned toward me. Before I could say anything, her arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a warm, unexpected hug.

I froze, my arms hovering awkwardly at my sides. What was she doing? Did she even know what she was doing?

“Thank you,” she mumbled against my chest, her voice muffled but sincere.

♪ Just hold me in the dark ♪

Slowly, cautiously, I let my arms fold around her, holding her close. It felt right—too right—and that’s what made it so wrong. She wasn’t just anyone; she was his sister. My best friend’s sister.

The unspoken rule had always been clear: stay away from her. She was off-limits, untouchable, someone I wasn’t even supposed to think about like this. But as I held her now, her warmth seeping into me, all I could think was how impossible it was to let go.

♪ No one’s gotta know what we doHit me up when you’re bored ♪

What if we didn’t tell anyone?

What if we didn’t have to?

The thought hit me like a whisper in the back of my mind, quiet but insistent. Memories stirred—ones I’d tried to forget but couldn’t.

The way she’d leaned in close during movie nights, her laughter brushing against my ear, making my pulse race. The late-night talks when everyone else was asleep, her voice soft, her eyes holding something unspoken.

And that time she’d reached out to fix my hair, her fingers grazing my forehead, lingering just a second too long.

I shouldn’t want this. I shouldn’t want her. She was drunk. But with her in my arms now, it felt like the only thing I’d ever wanted.

Her breath was slow, steady, like she was just as caught in the moment as I was. Then, she pulled away slightly, her eyes wide and innocent, like she had no idea how much she was driving me crazy. 

Her lashes fluttered as she looked up at me, her face glowing softly in the streetlight. She was so damn pretty, the kind of pretty that made my heart pound in my chest and my hands feel shaky.

Her eyes drifted from mine, down to my lips, and I felt the pull of temptation shoot through me. God, I could kiss her right now.

"Ben?" she whispered, her voice soft and almost fragile, as if she knew what was on my mind.

She tilted her head slightly, her lips parting just enough for me to see the faintest hint of a smile.

The moment felt like it was stretching on forever, and I could already feel myself leaning in, my breath hitching. But before I could make the move, a voice broke through the thick air between us.

“Need a ride back, Ben?”

I flinched, my heart pounding even harder. Curtis. My best friend. My fucking roommate.

Her brother.

He stood there, eyebrow raised, a smirk tugging at his lips. His gaze flicked between us, suspicion clear in his eyes. Shit.

That look should have been enough to stop me, to remind me why I couldn’t do this—why he would kill me if he ever found out. But in that moment, it didn’t matter.

I quickly looked back at her, just as she pulled away, her expression unreadable but soft. She didn’t say anything, but I could see the question in her eyes—What now?

Curtis broke the tension with a laugh. “What, you two gonna stand out here all night or are you gonna get in?”

I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. Saying yes would be awkward—he’d definitely notice. But if I said no, I’d be stuck walking back in the freezing cold, alone. I glanced at her one last time, guilt flooding my chest.

She smiled softly, like she understood. It was too dangerous. But damn, I wanted to give in.

I let go of her, the coldness settling in as I turned to Curtis. “Nah, I’m good,” I shrugged, trying to sound casual. “I need to be somewhere.”

Curtis raised an eyebrow but didn’t push it. I turned back to her, giving her a tight smile. “Bye,” I said too quietly, watching her slide into the car. My stomach twisted.

As the car pulled away, I shoved my hands into my pockets and sighed, the cold air stinging my skin. My mind was racing. What just happened?

I couldn’t stop thinking about her—how she felt in my arms, the way she looked at me. Her smile made me feel like I could do anything, even though I knew it was wrong.

Then it started to rain. Hard. Of course, it did. The universe had perfect timing when it came to ruining my mood.

I kicked at the ground, irritated, my feet splashing through puddles as I walked. I couldn’t stop replaying the look she gave me. I should’ve kissed her.

I wanted to kiss her. I couldn’t keep pretending like I didn’t feel this pull towards her, no matter how wrong it felt.

I pulled out a blunt from my jacket, lighting it up without even thinking. Maybe it was a stupid move, but I didn’t care. I needed something to numb the frustration, the confusion. 

The smoke filled my lungs, and for a moment, everything felt hazy. The rain poured harder, but I didn’t care. I kept walking, letting the buzz take over, the cold now just a distant thing.

taglist: @lolastrniolo @sturniololuv08 @chrislilcumslvt @lonleyheartsclub @shadowthesim

(lmk if you wanna be added!)

sneaky part 2 coming up...

[the-greatest-magic-of-all]

“SIRE!” Ick shrieked as he practically threw himself out of the carriage’s window as soon as it stopped. Kicking up dust as he scrambled to Riz’s side, careful not to accidentally overshoot and fly through the portal.

“Ugh,” Riz couldn’t help but groan. Yeah, he should’ve expected a last-ditch effort to get him to stay. Turning to a bent-over, panting Ick, Riz crossed his arms and bluntly asked, “What now?”

Once he’d caught most of his breath, Ick pushed himself to stand upright. Readjusting his robes before settling his hands behind his back in tight fists. “Your Majesty, I implore you to listen to reason. You simply cannot leave us.”

“It’s actually very simple,” Riz shot back, trying not to let pure frustration drip from his every word. Unbeknownst to him, his frustrations were showing in other ways. Thanks to the chaotic, primal nature of the Feywild, the rulers of its vast and varied realms held sway over everything within their domains. Including the physical world. Far up above the village of Bugbarrow, dark clouds began to form and swirl. “My job here is done, so I am leaving. End of story.”

“B-but without a King present—”

Nope! That’s it! Riz is done playing nice. “Fine, Ick! I’ll give you a King!” He muttered as he set his briefcase down in order to yank the Sword of Shadows from it. Unsheathing it in one fluid movement, the shadows curled and twisted around his hand as Riz looked Ick dead in his eyes and said, “I challenge you to take the Crown from me.”

A wave of pure yet nigh invisible magic erupted from Riz’s form, surging out in a wave until it reached every corner of the Goblin Court. The King had declared a duel. The air buzzed with arcane anticipation. Every Goblin that wasn’t already outside and/or keeping an eye on the leaving brides quickly made their way out. None of them dared to go closer than needed, but none wanted to miss this.

Royal Advisor Sir Ick, for his part, flinched as The Sword of Shadows was drawn, but he stood his ground. “Sire,” He said slowly, his voice low and his face stony as he shook his head. “My answer is the same as it was several days ago. I will do no such thing.”

Almost all at once, the arcane energy of the duel was dispelled. Riz groaned. Fine! (The storm up above crackled with lightning.) He didn’t need this stubborn bastard to rid himself of this stupid title. “Well! Then—” Riz turned away from Ick and toward the audience that had gathered in the village’s square. Throwing his arms open, he raised his voice as he said, “—I challenge anyone here to take the Crown from me!”

Another duel declared, the magic surging out once again. Air buzzing with anticipation as thunder rumbled from the clouds overhead. Only… Not a single person spoke up. Riz’s eyes darted around the group of about hundred and twenty or so Goblins that all stared back at him with looks of amusement, defiance, or, worse yet, pity. There wasn’t even a foolish, spitfire teen that volunteered just for the hell of it. What in the actual—

“Seriously? Come on, folks! Free crown? Fancy castle? Ultimate power?” Riz asked, feeling like a cheap car salesman as he offered up things that people have literally killed for. “No one?!”

Fabian (who got his name back on the way here) could barely keep his laughter to himself. Slapping a hand over his mouth once, Riz picked up on it and whipped around to glare at him. “What? Don’t get mad at me!” Fabian whined from where he was posted up near the still-open portal. “Seems like everyone here is just as fond of all of that King business as you are.”

“You are not helping,” Riz hissed, even though he knew there wasn’t much Fabian could actually do. The best he could do would be to take the title from him. And there was no world where Riz would leave his friend behind in this place. No matter how much he’d love it. Dragging a hand down his face, Riz tightened his grip on his sword as he (reluctantly) tapped into the vast pool of magic the title of Goblin King provided him. To the end of making sure that his voice was heard all throughout the realm, “To the entirety of the Goblin Court and every Fey within it, I challenge any of you to take this Crown from me!”

A third duel declared, this time with enough magic sent out to the farthest reaches so that any who accepted Riz’s challenge could teleport to him as soon as they did so.

And yet…

Nothing.

You’ve got to be kidding.

How bad could the last Kings have possibly been that every last soul within the Court agreed that their best bet was a seventeen-year-old sleepless detective who regularly takes vitamin gummies and whose first best friend may very well be his client?

Surely, they could do better?!

Tiptoeing back over to where Riz had gone silent as he stared down at his feet, Ick quietly tried to begin with, “Sire—”

“Sir Ick,” Riz cut him off. Eyes still focused on his old, leather briefcase kid shoes, but his voice was as grim as a grave. His family had done their damndest to escape this place; there was no way in the Great Wheel that he was getting trapped here again. Lightning crackled overhead as he locked eyes with Ick and quietly said, “Unless someone in the next few moments challenges me for the Crown, I will call upon anyone in the Feywilds to come and take it from me.”

“Wait! Please,” Ick said, his hands fluttering about as if he wanted to grab Riz, but, unlike Drezza, he did not have the nonchalantness to do so. “Your Majesty, for not only our sake but I’m sure your Mother’s, who I would assume would not wish for you to die so brutally, don’t.”

“Is that what you’re all worried about?” Riz asked, lifting his head with furrowed brows, some of the clouds dissipating into rain somewhere else. By the Gods, why would they think—“I’m planning on conceding after a few rounds of combat. You don’t have to kill me. No one does.”

Ick shook his head. “Yes, they do. A living loser of a Crown Contest will not be tolerated.”

A bit less jovial now that death was on the table, Fabian pushed off of the hut he’d been leaning on to walk over. Grimacing, he raised his hand as he caught Ick’s gaze and asked, “Now, by ‘not be tolerated,’ you mean?”

“I mean that if his Majesty is revived after losing, the victor will likely not take kindly to it and will seek to kill him permanently,” Ick explained as a mumbly chorus of agreeance sounded from the audience of Goblins still around them. He turned back to Riz with a solemn look as he went on, “And I assure you, since no one within the Court is willing to fight you, the victor will want you dead and buried for good.”

Crouching down next to Riz’s sagging form, Fabian winced and muttered, “That’s a rough one, Detective.”

“Thanks for the fantastic colour commentary, Fabes,” Riz said tonelessly before he collapsed to sit on the ground. Yes, it was undignified, but he couldn’t give less of a shit about any of that. Sword across his lap, head in his hands, and words muffled, Riz asked, “If I die by other means, will the crown still belong to me?”

Clearing his throat, Ick did what he did best. “I assume you are planning to be revived promptly? If so, then yes, you will still be King since the title is linked to your soul. Of course, you could chance waiting for a usurper to come and take the title while you’re deceased, but you’d risk said usurper taking too long.” And having to find and pay someone to cast True Resurrection on him. Ugh, fuck all of this Fey bullshit! “See, you can’t leave, Sire. As I’ve said, we need a King or else—”

“The Court ceases to function,” Riz droned, imitating Ick’s precise and persnickety inflections. Scowling up at his Advisor with his chin in his hand, he asked, “Why is that exactly?”

“Oh, well, you see…” Ick began, adjusting his glasses, before he launched into what Riz had to assume was a complete and total list of all of the King’s bureaucratic, courtly, and arcane responsibilities. Riz managed to keep up while Fabian zoned out almost immediately. He couldn’t blame him.

The list Ick was laying out before him was mind-numbingly long and convoluted. Sure, there was stuff in there about governing and shit, but there was also his duty to host diplomats for as long as what felt right(?!) and the need to oversee and approve court appointments and new court members. It was all too much for one mortal to do! Hell, he’s not even sure an Archfey could pull this off!

Wait… If it’s too much for one person to do… But then how would he get them to agree to that…? Oh! Well… If Fey bullshit got him into this mess, then perhaps it could get him out of it.

The clouds began to slowly part.

“FINE!” Riz shouted, interrupting Ick’s absurdly long list as he shot to his feet. With a renewed energy, he sheathed and packed up the Sword of Shadows, stood up straight and asked, “How about a bargain?”

Riz could feel the pique of interest not only in Ick but also everyone around them, including Fabian. Who kept crouching as he smirked and arched a brow at him.

Ick, who’d been a bit put out for being interrupted, furrowed his brows in thought for a couple of moments before straightening up himself. A nod, “I’m listening.”

Perfect.

Hands kept loosely behind his back, Riz innocently asked, “How many boroughs would you say the Court has?”

“Twelve, your Majesty.”

Riz took a deep breath, settling himself the best he could before he began, “Perfect, each of them will hold a free and fair election to elect a leader of said borough, which we’ll call a Minister. They will lead and make decisions on behalf of everyone in their district and congregate… two seasons a year, let’s say Spring and Fall, in Hornhallow to discuss bureaucratic choices for the whole Court.”

Oh, yeah, baby!

Guess who’s getting democracy forced onto them!

The sounds of confused and slightly alarmed words and worry shared throughout the surrounding Goblins grew louder and louder the longer Riz went on. But no outright objections, so Riz would take it. Ick did attempt to raise a finger to interject, but Riz quickly shot him down. “I’m not done! All twelve of them will be led and managed by a Prime Minister, whose main job is to oversee the entire Court and bring up only the most important and pressing matters to the King. And guess what, Ick?”

“What?” Wide owlish eyes stared at him in… wonder? Horror? Both? Riz didn’t know, but it felt good to see all the same.

“I’m looking for an outstanding candidate for Prime Minister who already knows his way around the Court’s intricate bureaucracy,” Riz said with a crazed smile and wild eyes. “I hereby delegate all of my responsibilities and duties to be distributed between the Ministers and you, the Prime Minister. However, if need be, I will have the final say on any issue they bring to me and reserve the full right to veto anything or anyone I desire.” Sticking out a hand toward Ick as bright beams of sunlight burst through the cloud cover, revealing a beautiful blue sky, Riz asked, “Do we have a deal?”

Check fuckin’ mate!

Ick was left more than a bit stunned by his Majesty’s not-quite-trick. But he wasn’t ranting and raving at being forced to take on more work. Hell, stunned might not even be the right word now that Riz thought about it. He was just simply quiet. Head hung low, claws fidgeting, tail pensively swaying back and forth. Riz watched as thoughts raced through the Advisor’s mind, and the Goblins of Bugbarrow held their breath, all of them waiting for Ick’s answer.

After a few more moments of quiet, Ick raised his head, held up a finger and asked, “Will all arcane powers and responsibilities still entirely lie with you?”

Huh. Not a rebuttal. But a clarification.

Hope bloomed in Riz’s chest as he thought about Ick’s question. If he couldn’t give away all of his duties, there were worse ones than wielding the magic of this place and having to deal with defending the title from usurpers every so often. In addition to signing some papers and acting as a figurehead. Plus, that meant he got to keep the cool shadow sword! Perhaps this King thing wouldn’t be so bad.

A genuine smile growing on his face, Riz gave Ick a nod as he said, “Yes, I’ll—”

Before he could finish, Ick quickly clasped their hands together, “Deal!”

With that one word, the arcane foundations of the Goblin Court shook. From within their clasped hands, motes and streaks of light and colours erupted out in nigh blinding brilliance. And just like that, the world was different.

As Riz, who felt instantly lighter and freer than he had in a couple of days, caught Ick’s gaze and asked, “You gonna be alright?”

Ick smiled at him and shrugged, “What’s a little more hard work?”

Shaking on it one last time, Prime Minister Ick gave Riz a bow before he bid the people of Bugbarrow good day and left in the carriage in a hurry to get those elections up and running. Riz gave him a little salute as the carriage passed him by before turning to Fabian and sighing with relief.

“Well done, Detective,” Fabian said, smiling (what Riz would later look back on and realize was a lovestruck smile) as he ruffled Riz’s curls. “Ready to go home?”

Leaving a mini offering for when you awaken - Thanks for chatting with me while work has been boring me to death :3

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Fae Wilds

Fabian flinched his hand away when Riz swatted at his fingers, the goblins hand connecting with his knuckles with a stinging crack since he wasn’t pulling his punches. Not anymore. The creature that had tried to hand Fabian a strange piece of fruit snarling at the goblin and earning a venomous hiss from the detective in response before it skuttled up the tree and out of sight into the canopy.

“Just because someone is handing you something doesn’t mean you have to take it.” Riz took a calming breath, rubbing at the bridge of his nose under his glasses before resettling them on his face properly. “In fact, put your hands in your pockets. Please.”

The goblin had needed to explain this to Fabian six times already but the Fae Wilds tended to make most people who weren’t native a little vague at the best of times. He wasn’t mad at his friend, not really, he was just kind of wishing he hadn’t let the half elf invite himself on this little mission in the name of ‘watching Riz’s back’ for him. Sure, adventuring with a partner was much more enjoyable than going solo like he usually did but gods was it stressful when he had to keep an eye on Fabian the entire time. If he’d known Fabians human heritage would cause this much of a handicap on his resistance to the confusing influence of this realm he wouldn’t have let him come at all.

This excursion wasn’t in relation to Fabians case anyway, the leads on that one having run dry a while ago, but Riz still had bills to pay and the half elf was fine with him taking other clients in the meantime. They were in the Fae Wilds searching for information, the detectives current client swearing that his daughter had run off with a member of some fairy court and wanting to know where they’d gone. When Riz had gone through his daughters things he’d had to agree, some of the items and letters she’d left behind faintly humming with traces of magic from this realm when he’d checked them over.

So here they were, just the two of them, trying to find someone they could get information out of without trading away something irreplaceable. Riz had gotten a few leads from some of the less dangerous creatures in the area and had been verifying some of it with another when he heard Fabian speaking with someone behind him. The goblin having to whirl around quickly to smack Fabian on the leg to stop him from saying his name to a beautiful, naked woman that looked like they were carved out of a still living tree. Riz narrowing his eyes and baring his teeth when they ran a flirty finger under Fabian’s chin before giggling and wandering away into the forest around them.

“Oh, sorry The Ball. You were trying to get my attention?” Fabian had stared wistfully after the retreating figure until they were impossible to spot among the foliage, the half elf making a choked noise when Riz reached up to grab him by the collar of his jacket and yank him down to the goblins eye level.

“Stop. Saying. Your. Name. and REALLY stop saying your FULL name. Even if they don’t want to steal it they can do some pretty horrible stuff to you if you’re not careful.”

“Ah. Right. Sorry. Force of habit.” Fabian grinned, happy to let the goblin manhandle him around if he wanted to even though it would be very easy to resist. It meant he got to look at his face up close, even if his brows were knitted together in a frown and his ears were pinned back in a way he knew meant he was upset or worried.

“Fuck, okay. I know you’re having issues remembering all this because of-“ Riz let go of his collar with one hand to gesture vaguely around the pair of them, indicating the fae wild at large. “-but it’s going to cause problems if you keep doing that. So. Give me your name.”

“Hmm? Okay, It’s…” The half elf frowned, his own ears drooping slightly while his eye darted, unfocused, from side to side as he tried to think. “I don’t… why can’t I remember?”

“Oh, good. Excellent. I still remember it so that worked.” Riz let go of his collar, pressing their foreheads together in a brief nuzzle before stepping way from him. “You gave me your name. I’ll give it back once we go home but at least I can keep it safe for you until we do. For now you’ll just have to go by… I dunno. Maximum Legend until we leave.”

Now that a creature of this realm had control of the half-elfs name hopefully it would have the duel effect of helping to clear his mind somewhat. Maximum Legend, for his part, was doing an excellent impression of a stunned fish. Mouth hanging open slightly as he stayed crouched in the position Riz had left him in.

“That’s…. what the fuck The Ball? How in the Nine Hells did you even do that?”

“I am a creature of many talents.”

The half-elf scoffed in response but didn’t argue, standing back up to his full height and following along behind Riz as he started walking again.

It's always a delight to chat with you, and it's one of my favourite things to do! Thank you for this gift. Here's a little something in return, pulled from some of our recent chats.

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Maximum Legend—ugh, he couldn’t believe Riz was throwing that one drunken night on Leviathan in his face—kept a hand on the hilt of his blade as he stood back to back with Riz as several masked goblins surrounded them. They’d been on their way through a forest of trees as tall as skyscrapers with thick and colourful underbrush. Following their only lead regarding the location of Riz’s client’s daughter, Sarah. Up until they’d been ambushed, of course.

He’d been ready for a fight, but he felt Riz hesitate at the same time he did, thanks to giving their attackers a second look over. Rusty pitchforks, worn sickles, and recently repaired spears. Masks made up of ripped fabric and threadbare work clothes covered with patchwork leather armour. If they were bandits, they had only just started out, but something told them that these people weren’t even that.

Riz glanced at Maximum Legend to make sure they were on the same page before he called out to one of the goblins in Gukliak. Maximum could only follow parts of the back and forth that occurred. He could surmise that Riz had asked the troupe if they’d seen a Halfling girl running around with a member of one of the nearby Courts.

For a moment, the goblins looked shifty about it, but Riz… insisted that her father only wanted to know that she was safe and bring her home if she wasn’t. A bit of conferring between the troupe and another quick exchange with Riz before they lowered their weapons. Giving them both a nod to follow.

The troupe of goblins kept them close as they led them through the forest toward a small village by a winding creek. Small farms on the outskirts of it with farmers tending to strange beasts and even stranger crops. Little houses and shops were built into the massive ivied tree trunks or carved out of giant moss-covered boulders. A village square with a tall pole wrapped in colourful ribbons and flowers that goblin villagers pass by and congregate at to stare at him and Riz as they’re led deeper into the settlement.

Eventually they are led to a hollowed out giant tree stump where the missing daughter, Sarah, a young ravenhaired Halfling woman sat in a garden of tall grass and wildflowers, playing a guitar for a hoard of young goblins. It was a sweet sight to watch for a moment or two. But sooner than later, one of the kits noticed their and their guides’ presences and a whirlwind of chaos erupted.

Sarah stopped strumming, sitting up alarmed as some of the kits raced towards a couple of the goblins who guided them here—their parents, obviously. While others, the ones on the older side stayed and began to swarm Sarah as if they could hide her with their bodies. And that is nothing to say of a matronly Goblin woman bursting out of the stump and rushing to put herself in front of Sarah and the kits as she hissed at the guides and the outsiders.

Maximum watched as Riz lowered his ears in submission to her obvious authority in this place as he began to speak to her slowly in Gukliak. At first, she wasn’t having it; not even some nudging from their guides was enough for her to let them come any closer. But luckily, Sarah was far more willing to humour them.

Slithering out of the pile of kits, she threw her guitar over her shoulder as she walked over to the Goblin matron to put a hand on her shoulder. Telling her that they most likely weren’t here on the Goblin King’s orders. She recognized their clothing; they were from her home plane. Here to rescue her. Sarah smiles at them and tells them that Drezza is just worried about her because she sees her stolen daughter in her, that’s all. She’s happy to talk to them and explain what happened to her.

You see, Sarah Timbersage had been having a really tough time at college, at her dead-end job and at home and… she’d met a guy. Handsome, almost too good-looking for words. Elven, she’d guessed at first, but he’d been light on the details. They’d exchanged letters, back and forth; old fashioned, but she’d liked it. He’d said that she could come live with him, that he’d take care of her, and she’d want for nothing…

As the fifth daughter of eight children, it was an enticing offer. Believable, too, he’d given her a beautiful necklace as if it were nothing. She hadn’t even realized she’d been enthralled until she was deep in the Feywild, within the Castle of the Goblin King. Who, she’d quickly realized, was only going to add her to a collection of “brides” he kept as a testament to his power. Including Drezza’s daughter, Pollina, though Sarah hadn't known that then. Only by pure luck did she manage to escape the fortress and disappear into the forest surrounding it.

Sarah doesn’t know how long she wandered, but one morning, after spending the night hidden in a rotted log, she was found by some of Drezza’s children. The sweet things had realized that she was not only hungry and thirsty, but also the mortal woman the Goblin King had sent scouts to find.

Now, you have to understand. Within the Goblin Court, you’d be hard-pressed to find a soul that actually revered or even liked their King. Hell, they hadn’t particularly liked their last dozen Kings! Might makes Right in the Court of Goblins, so one of the most popular ways for anyone to gain power is to kill a more powerful being than themselves and assume their title.

The worst thing is? It's an arcane issue. It doesn't matter if the courtiers and subjects of the Court despise whoever holds the title of Goblin King, no matter how this so-called King drags their Court’s reputation through the mud unless one of them can defeat him? There's nothing they can do to strip the Court-given powers from him. As much as they hated to admit it, the current Goblin King was very powerful.

And if the smoke signal from the outermost of the village's farms was correct, he was on his way here.