#and if its in ponytail it must be let flowing

[shuuenka]

new danheng skin!!1 (i wish.)

[writtenwhalien]

a lover's redemption | chapter 1

chapter 1. way down we go

pairing ↠ mafia leader!park jimin x reader

genre ↠ mafia AU — romance/action (angst, fluff, smut)

summary ↠ Blood, business and betrayal is all that Park Jimin has ever known, but when you cross paths again, the stakes are raised even higher and he finds himself battling his conscience, and his heart.

word count ↠ 10k

18+ | warnings ↠ drinking, explicit sexual content, violence, all sorts of crime (please see the series masterlist for a complete list of warnings).

taglist is open – dm/comment/send an ask to be added <3

notes ↠ please enjoy and share xoxoxox i'll confirm the release date of chapter 2 soon—this fic is a lot of work lol so in the meantime pls enjoy this longer chapter <3 and i used korean family names bc its a jimin fic and its hard to try and think of any other way that flows/to not use names, sorry not sorry, just imagine what you want xx

14th September 2003

“That’s it, good girl, Y/N—ow!” 

Your dad clutched his leg after a particularly hard roundhouse kick to his thigh. 

“Haha, well done, Y/N,” your granddad laughed from the side, clapping his hands in praise of you which motivated you to keep going. 

Going in for another front punch, you dodged your dad’s punches – which he pulled to avoid hurting you – and then you came in with a sharp jab to his ribs. 

“Ah, gosh, okay, okay,” he chuckled, taking a step back off the mat. “I think we should finish for the day, I’m gonna be covered in bruises tomorrow.”

“Was I good?” you asked, eager to hear your dad’s compliments as always. 

“You were amazing, dear,” your granddad said, stepping forward and ruffling your hair. “You remember what I told you, yes?”

“Yes,” you nodded, stating the next words like a mantra. “Self defence is a state of mind that begins with the belief you are worth defending.” It’s what your granddad had told you since you started training last year at the age of five.

“Still got it,” your dad smiled, kneeling down to help you pull off your shin guards. “You can show Jae-ho the combination tomorrow, but for now, let’s go get ready for dinner before your mom kills me.”

Beaming, you ripped your gloves off. “Can we go again before class tomorrow?”

“Of course we can,” your dad said, patting your back, and together you raced out of the summer room and back into the house, as your granddad followed leisurely behind you. 

“Mom, I learned a new combination today!” you beamed, climbing up onto the stool at the breakfast counter.

Your mom smiled at you, her apron covered in flour as she puts a tray into the oven. “That’s amazing sweetie, I’ll watch it tomorrow when Jae-ho comes over, okay?”

“Okay,” you nodded, reaching over and taking an apple from the fruit bowl.

Taking off her apron, your mom walked around the counter towards you. “Ah, your hair is all sweaty, you must have been working really hard.” She took out your hair tie, combing through your hair with her fingers.

“Ow,” you grimaced, still munching on your apple. “It was really hot.”

She laughed. “I’m sure it was.” 

“There she is!” The sound of your grandma’s voice made you turn around. She smiled as she came towards you. “Let’s get you bathed before dinner.”

“Do I have to?” you grumbled.

Your grandma paused, sniffing the air. “What’s that smell?” 

Laughing, you hopped off the stool and ran towards the door. “It’s you, grandma!”

“What?!” She laughed with mock surprise, looking at your mom. “Is it me?”

“Hm…” Your mom paused and played along, sniffing your grandma. “Nu-uh.” She looked at you. “I think it’s coming from our pretty princess over there.” 

“I thought so,” your grandma smiled, before she and your mom proceeded to chase you through the house while you ran down the corridors and laughed gleefully. As you jumped on your parents bed, trying to make a beeline for their bathroom door, your mom caught you, cuddling you and smothering you in kisses before you eventually had to have a bath. Your grandma styled your hair in a ponytail with a pretty headband of your choice. You chose a blue one to match your dress and together you made your way downstairs. 

As you entered the living room, your dad turned around and behind him stood a tall man with dark hair neatly slicked back. 

“Y/N, honey, there’s someone I’d like you to meet,” your dad said, smiling reassuringly as he took your hand. 

You’d met a lot of your dad’s friends and they all seemed nice. But this man was different. He didn’t look kind at all. As you approached, your attention was stolen by a boy standing close behind the man. He looked around your age, with brown hair and brown eyes. His cheeks were round and rosy which gave him a playful and friendly appearance, except for the unmistakable fact that he looked scared. 

“This is my friend, Jihoon, and his son, Jimin.”

At first you felt nervous, looking between your dad and the big stern looking man beside him. Glancing at your grandma, you eased up when she nudged you and smiled. 

“Why don’t you say hello, Y/N?” she said.

Your dad kneeled down as you looked up at the man. “You can say hello if you want, sweetie.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, Y/N,” the man said, his lips curving into what must’ve meant to have been a smile — you thought it made him look scarier. “I’m your uncle Jihoon.” He extended his hand. 

Timidly, you shook it. Then your gaze fell to the boy standing behind him.

“Jimin.” Jihoon’s voice was suddenly sharp as he summoned his son to come forward. 

Looking up at his father in what you could only interpret as fear, he took a few steps forward and stopped in front of you. “Hello, I’m Jimin,” he said quietly, putting his hand forward just like his father did. 

“Hi, Jimin,” you said, reaching for his hand and shaking it once. “I’m Y/N.”

6 years later 17th July 2009

Sunlight streamed in through the windows, bringing in ample light to the summer room. Arranged messily on the table were pots of paint and brushes with a few complete canvases surrounding you as you worked. The canvas in front of you was a mix of vibrant colours, some careful strokes and others wild splashes you had crafted as you concentrated hard, your hand gripping the brush as you attempted to follow your father’s lead.

He had almost completed his piece, after many days working on it. A black sky tinged with deep hues of blue, and a single spear of lightning emerged through dark, swirling clouds, casting a pale, cold light reflecting off of the tempestuous sea of violent waves.

“Oh no,” you frowned, sitting back to get a better look at your work. “I ruined it.”

Your dad glanced over, smiling softly. “You didn’t ruin anything. It’s just different now, which is good.”

“But it doesn’t look how I wanted. It’s messy now.”

Your dad paused, getting up from his position in front of his much more professional easel to come and look at your work. Then, he dipped his brush in one of the colours you created and added a soft swirl, then another. You watched quietly as he added more.

“Things don’t always turn out how we want them to, sweetheart. That happens a lot in life. But you can always choose what to do next, even when things get messy.”

“What do you mean?”

Your dad set the paint brush down and sat on the chair next to you. Lines creased his forehead, his expression becoming sombre. It was something you’d been noticing more over the past few years.  

“Y/N, there will be times when everything around us feels messy or wrong — like people are not being kind, or things not going how we planned. You can’t always change that. But what you can control is how you act, even when everything feels hard. Being a good person means doing the right thing, even when the world around you isn’t.”

You frowned, thinking hard. “But what if people are mean, or if bad things happen? How do I be good when that’s happening?”

Your dad smiled warmly. “It’s like painting. Sometimes, you’ll have dark colors, or you’ll make a mistake. But you get to decide what comes next. You can add light, bring in something beautiful, even if the first stroke didn’t go how you wanted. You don’t have to paint what’s around you—you can paint what’s in here.” Gently, he tapped your chest over your heart.

Looking down, you began to understand. “So… even if everything’s messy, I can still make something pretty?”

“Exactly. You can always choose to do the right thing, to be kind, to help someone, even if others aren’t. It’s not always easy, but that’s what makes it important. Being a good person isn’t about waiting for things to be perfect, it’s about being good, even when things aren’t.”

You nodded, picking up your paintbrush and adding a swirl of your own. “Like this?”

With a grin, your dad nodded. “That’s perfect. You see? No matter how dark or messy things seem, you can always choose to make it better.”

“I want to do that, dad. I want to make things better, like you do.”

Your dad smiled, pulling you into a hug. “You already do, sweetheart.” 

You hugged him back, smiling when you felt him kiss the top of your head. Pulling away, you hopped off the chair. “What about yours? Is it finished?”

“I think so.”

“Lightning…  is it a storm?” you asked, standing next to your dad in front of the easel. 

“Yes,” he said, ruffling your hair with his elbow as his hands were smudged with paint. 

“What does it mean?”

“Sometimes it can mean power,” he answered, turning back to the canvas in front of him. “But sometimes it can also mean punishment.”

You looked up, frowning.

He smiled. “Sometimes, too much power isn’t a good thing. If you’re not a good person, then it can be dangerous.”

“Oh…” You looked back at the canvas, admiring the deep shades of blue and black and grey he’d used to paint the night sky. “Who is it for?” you asked.

Your dad’s smile disappeared as he looked back at the canvas. “An old friend.”

You looked at your dad and noticed he looked sad. “Are you not friends anymore?”

He shook his head, a smile returning. “We are. Dad’s just being silly.” He patted your shoulder gently. “Come on, let’s go have dinner. All this painting has made me hungry.”

Dinner passed peacefully that night with your parents and grandparents conversing as they always did, and you spent most of the time poking your mom’s belly to try to get your growing baby brother to respond. 

Then, as soon as your dad finished eating, he got a text. Everyone on the dinner table went quiet and for a moment, you were forgotten.

“It’s Han-jae,” your dad said quietly. “He’s asked to see me.”

Your granddad exhaled slowly and you saw how your mothers hand tensed around her fork. 

“I told you not to get involved,” she murmured, looking at your dad with worry. 

He reached for her hand, caressing it gently. “I had to, love, you know that.”

“Why you?” she implored, almost desperately. “Why couldn’t you ask someone else.”

“I don’t know who to trust right now, Jihoon hasn’t been himself lately.”

“Jihoon is the same as always, he’s a cold man,” your mother answered.

“Sae-yi is right. Jihoon has always been a heartless person.”

“Perhaps that’s why I can’t trust him with this."

“Then don’t." Your mom took your fathers hands in both of hers. “But do you have to go?”

Your dads face gave her the answer and she sighed, grip loosening on his hand.

“Honey,” he whispered, closing his hand around hers firmly again and leaning in. “I’ll have my men with me, we’ll be back within an hour, I promise.” Smiling, he kissed her on the lips. “I’ve known Han-jae almost all my life, nothing’s going to happen.”

Your mother’s worried expression didn’t falter. “He’s the one who’s changed. I don’t trust him, not after what he was going to do to Jiyoung.” 

“I know,” your dad said, moving his hand in to hold your mom's cheek. “And that’s why I can’t let him know anything’s up, Ji-young isn’t safely out of the country yet so I should go.”

Leaning into his touch, your mom sighed. “Your heart's too big for this world, Sehun.”

Your dad smiled, pressing his forehead against hers and placing his hand on her swollen tummy. “It’s just big enough for you and my beautiful family.” He looked across at you sitting beside your mother and took your hand too, kissing it softly. “Look after your mama while I’m away, and we’ll have some dessert when I get back, okay?”

You nodded, confused yet reassured by your father’s smile. Nodding back, your dad kissed your mother once more before saying goodbye to your grandparents too. Your mom and granddad walked him out while your grandma stayed with you and made you finish your dinner.

The first half hour passed as normal. You stayed sitting with your grandma while your mom and granddad spoke privately in the kitchen. That was nothing new to you, you’d grown up with the adults having many private conversations out of earshot, so nothing felt off… until another fifteen minutes later.

Your mom wouldn’t stop pacing back and forth, her phone in her hand. “Neither of them are replying to my texts. He always replies, always.” You could hear the panic in her voice, the slight tremor that shook you deeply inside.

Then your grandma had the maid get you ready for bed, and you couldn’t hear what the grown-ups were whispering anymore. You were used to being sent to bed like this so you did what you always did — you sat by your bedroom window to watch the blacked out cars that usually come and go in the driveway. Except this time there weren’t any cars so instead you clambered on to your bed to read a book while you waited for your dad. 

As you grew bored, you remembered your dad promised to be back within the hour… glancing at the clock in your room, you realised he was late. 26 minutes late. 

A pit of worry grew in your stomach and you wished to be near your mom, so you got out of bed and walked to the door, your favourite book in your hand as you hoped to read to your little brother like you’d done so many times before.

Clutching it tightly, you walked out of your room towards the staircase, and then you heard it —  your mothers heart wrenching scream. 

At that moment, you knew your dad wasn’t going to be coming back home. 

present day

“One cappuccino please, and a croissant too.”

Without looking up from where you’re still folding the tea towels, you respond to the customer. “To eat in or takeaway?”

“Eat in.”

“Coming right up.” You fold the last one, patting it down before turning to face the customer. “That’ll be 9000 won plea– oh.” You pause, looking at the man behind the counter. “Hello again.”

“Hi, Y/N.” He smiles warmly, pulling out his wallet from the pocket of his black trenchcoat. 

“Ah, you remember my name.”

“And you don’t remember mine,” he grins, nodding his head when you wince apologetically. “Seojun.”

“Seojun,” you repeat. “I’ll remember that now, I promise.”

He chuckles, placing a 50000 won note on the counter. “Don’t sweat it. And keep the change,” he says, turning around to seat himself at the closest table.

You pick it up, shaking your head. “Again?”

He folds his coat over the empty chair beside him before smoothing down the lapels of his suit jacket. “Yes, and don’t try to give me an extra muffin to make up for it.”

You deposit the bill into the till and put the change in the tip jar. Glancing at him, you see him looking over his shoulder out the window. “Did you at least like it?”

Seojun turns back and smiles. “Nope.”

“Hey!”

“I’m just being honest, I’m not a fan of blueberries,” he shrugs. “If you’re gonna give me anything, I'll take another coffee to go, iced americano this time.”

“Hmph, whatever,” you mumble, getting to work on his cappuccino. “I worked on that muffin recipe for weeks.”

“Try less baking powder maybe?” You shoot him a look when he says this and he puts his hands up defensively. “Or not.”

“Maybe if you weren’t tipping so much, I wouldn’t have to give you a muffin,” you say, steaming the milk for his drink.

“There’s a jar there for a reason,” he points out, nodding to the tip jar on the counter which you’ve kept there for your younger employees on top of the generous wage you pay them.

“Fair.” You finish preparing his cappuccino and plate up the croissant, walking over to his table. “Just don’t diss my muffins.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, doing little to hide the amusement in his voice. 

“Yeah, whatever,” you roll your eyes, smiling as you place his order down. “Here.” 

“Sit with me,” he says, kicking the seat out from in front of him. 

Pausing, you look at the only other occupied table. They seem fine, so you take Seojun’s offer, getting yourself a muffin and slipping into the seat while he looks over his shoulder again.

“Expecting someone?” you ask, breaking off a piece. 

“Hm?” He faces forward again, quickly shaking off the serious expression on his face. “Oh, no.” Smiling, he takes a sip of his coffee.

“How’s your girlfriend?” you ask, remembering the last conversation you had with him in which he told you all about his plans to surprise his girlfriend with a handcrafted bracelet made by himself. Apparently the diamonds from Tiffany’s just don’t feel special to him anymore. 

You smiled when he said that to you – it reminded you of your dad. It was easy enough to walk into a store and order the most expensive jewels, so he preferred to pour his time and effort into surprising your mom with paintings. He was good at it too, something you’ve grown to be envious of since you can’t say he passed the same talent to you.

Seojun smiles. “She’s good. Loved the bracelet.”

This makes you smile. “I’m glad.”

“How’s your grandma?”

“She’s great,” you nod. The last conversation you had with Seojun, was actually also the first. He walked into the cafe last week and immediately started a conversation with you. At first, you were slightly wary, but you’re always cautious so you went along with it. He’s a nice guy, and truthfully, you were glad for a change from all the college gossip you were used to hearing from your younger employees. They have a lot of drama, some of which bores you. 

Speaking with Seojun just seems familiar, like speaking with an old friend. 

“How’s her gallery?”

“Busy. She barely even calls me these days.”

Seojun chuckles. “Maybe you should visit her, I’m sure she’d like it.” 

At this, you pause, smiling. “I should. It’s been a while since I've seen her.” Your fork pokes aimlessly at the muffin. “I’ve just been a bit busy.”

“With the cafe?”

“Huh?” You look at Seojun, only to catch him looking back towards you just in time. That’s the third time he’s looked over his shoulder.

“I asked if you’re busy with the cafe,” he repeats, quickly looking down to take a bite of his croissant.

“Well, yeah,” you lie, also looking down. It’s a simple answer when the truth is more complicated. 

Seojun looks at you, eyes slightly rounded in concern. “It might be a good idea to take a break, no? Get out of Seoul and stay with her for a while.” 

This gives you pause, and you stare at him. “I don’t think I'll be leaving Seoul for a while,” you answer, watching him carefully. 

But before he can respond, you’re interrupted by your phone ringing in your back pocket. Pulling it out, you see your grandma is calling. Glancing up at Seojun, he’s now looking down at his half empty cup while tensely rubbing his thumb against the side of his tight fist.

“Excuse me,” you mutter, getting up and answering the phone. “Hello?”

“Hello, Y/N, sweetheart?”

You frown, immediately hearing something off in her tone. Looking back over your shoulder, you see Seojun looking through his suit pockets for something. You face forward again. “Yes, it’s me. Are you okay? You don’t normally call this early.”

There’s a pause on the other side of the phone as you hear your grandma let out a small sigh. “I’m well,” she says. “I just needed to make sure you’re fine.”

“I am, but you already know that,” you remind her. “I called you this morning.”

“I know.” There’s another soft silence.

“Did something happen?” you ask, an uncertain feeling brewing in your chest. Your grandma has never had any reason to call like this before. Maybe if she knew of the midnight runs you frequently went on, she would, but as it happens, she doesn’t. You’ve made sure of that by having Yoongi promise to keep it from her, and his own father, Min Hyun-tae who is the closest confidante of your grandma.

Eventually, she answers. “I heard there’s been some trouble with the Cheong’s and… ah, never mind. I was just worried.”

You frown – Yoongi should’ve told you this too. “Well, what is it?”

“Don’t worry about it, just stay out of trouble, okay?”

“Moni, what is it–”

“Y/N,” she interrupts, her voice suddenly stern. “Whatever it is, it’ll pass over in a few days.”

Holding your tongue, you exhale heavily through your nose. You know your grandma is only this protective of you to keep you safe and she has every reason to worry, which makes it harder that you have to lie to her so often. 

“Okay. Promise me you’ll stay safe too.”

Your grandma chuckles. “I’m living a quiet life here in Namwon, dear. Don’t worry about me.”

She’s safe, you remind yourself. Away from the memories and danger here in Seoul. “Okay, I love you,” you say softly.

“I love you too. Bye now.”

Ending the call, you can’t ignore the feeling that remains in your chest, and when you turn around, you’re surprised to see that Seojun has gone. All that’s left on the table is the dishes and his receipt. Drawing closer, you see he’s scribbled something on the back of it: She’s the only family you have left. You should stay with her. 

In the two conversations you’ve had with Seojun, you haven’t once mentioned any other family member, and he never asked, yet he seems to know that it’s just you and her left…

Suddenly, it occurs to you that maybe Seojun knows who you are. 

After your father was killed, your granddad went to great lengths to protect the rest of you, which included keeping your family information strictly secure – even now if you were to go down to a police station, they would have trouble finding much information on you except what you want them to know. Only someone who knows your family could know that it’s just you and her, because your mother’s medical records of her death following her cardiac arrest during early labour are completely unobtainable, as are your granddad’s after his pneumonia.

Looking out of the cafe window, you scan the streets and see no sign of Seojun anywhere. 

You need to call Yoongi. That’s the first thing you need to do and after that, you’ll look into Seojun. Your conversation with him and your grandma is still playing on your mind, even now as you rush down the streets to get to your car. 

As you brush past people, you accidentally bump into someone.

“Oh, sorry,” you mumble, looking towards the face of the guy you just bumped into.

He smiles, shaking his head as he pats your arm. “Don’t worry.”

Pursing your lips, you nod and smile before resuming your walk. Another twenty minutes later, you’re pulling up towards the gate of your home. Although it’s a modest sized house (still slightly larger than the average), your grandma insisted on your extra security.  

“Good evening, miss,” your guard, Dani, calls out, smiling and waving as she opens the gate from her station.

“Hey, Dani,” you smile, slowing the car down next to her to talk through the window. “Anything today?”

She jumps up onto the ledge, shaking her head. “Nope. A camera around the back picked up some movement just a little while ago but Siho checked it out, was nothing...”

You’re barely paying attention to her as your mind still wanders on Seojun.

“Uh, Y/N?”

“Huh?” you look at her, slightly startled.

Dani smiles. “Long day?”

“Something like that.” 

Her expression softens. “Make sure you eat well tonight, hm?”

“I will,” you nod. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Sure.” She waves you on as you drive further onto your property, parking in the driveway.

Dani and Siho are the guards you employed when your grandma told you to. They both have a past in the military but retired early for whatever reason (they don’t talk about it much and you don’t ask). In truth, you’re very grateful to them – some nights it’s easier to sleep knowing they’re helping to look out for you.

Grabbing your purse from the passenger seat, you get out of your car and walk towards the house. 

Everything seems normal as you unlock the front door, entering the wide hallway downstairs – you have no reason to notice the drops of blood by the kitchen door – so you take your shoes off and hang your coat and bag in the cloakroom as you normally would before heading upstairs to your bedroom. 

But when you get to the top, you halt, noticing something. Far less obvious than droplets of blood, it’s the sight of your bedroom door left slightly open. You always close your bedroom door. It’s just a habit you’ve always had to close the door when you leave…

Immediately, your senses become more alert, your ears perking up for any noise in the house.  It’s odd, you don’t understand how anyone could’ve gotten into the house as long as Dani and Siho have been guarding the house. Unless, thinking back on the day, you know you have good reason to be on alert.

So you tread silently towards your room, kicking it open and—

Nothing. Your room is exactly as you left it this morning. You relax after checking a few possible hiding spots and finding them empty. But still, you know to be more cautious than this, so you take the handgun from the drawer in your nightstand and check all the other rooms. 

The metal feels light in your hand, even though you’ve never actually used this particular gun since Hyun-tae gave it to you on the night of the only break-in at the home in Namwon. You were only sixteen, wide-eyed and terrified when he told you to stay with your grandma and not come out until he came back. 

The gun was a last resort, of course you knew that the many men guarding the house would intercept whoever was threatening what was left of your family, but even then, it made you feel safer, more sure of yourself. Just as it does now while you walk through your house, alert for any movements.

Your body freezes as you spot the droplets of blood on the floor. 

Now that’s not your blood.

Muscle memory takes over as your thumb moves to cock the gun. Your heart beats harder in your chest, every sense on high alert as you silently stand behind the kitchen door. 

Holding your breath, you can make out the quiet sounds of heavy, laboured breathing… you inch slowly towards the edge as far as you can to peer in and see no one from where you are. 

Exhaling slowly, you count down to three before stepping into the kitchen, gun aimed as you quickly scan the kitchen and then you see the intruder, the aim of your gun following your sight.

Collapsed on the floor against your kitchen wall, a tall man holds his hand against his chest where a deep red stain spoils the white shirt of his suit. He looks up at you, face desperate yet determined.

“Don’t shoot, it’s me.”

Flicking on your kitchen light, you stare at him for a second until you recognise him… “Seojun?” A knot of uncertainty and fear tightens in the pit of your stomach.

Immediately you uncock your gun, rushing over to him. “What happened? Why are you here?” You reach for his wound to apply pressure but his bloodied hand closes around yours, stopping you. 

“Y/N, I’m sorry.”

Looking up, you meet his gaze and the fear in his expression sends shivers down your spine despite you being confused. “Let me help you,” you say shakily, hands moving to his wound again.

Seojun weakly shakes his head, trying to reach for your arm again. “No, Y/N, you need to leave,” he says, voice firm despite his severe injury.

“You need an ambulance,” you say, ignoring the slight tremble of your hands. “I’ll call an ambu—”

“No,” he interrupts, pulling on your hand again before crying out quickly from the quick movement. “Your guards,” he breathes, “they’ll keep you safe, Jimin will keep you safe, you need to go.”

The sound of him in pain sends panic rushing through you and yet he still seems adamant about what he’s saying. “W-what are you talking about?” your voice is still shaky as you ignore the firm hold of his hand on your wrist to keep pressure on him.

Seojun cries out quietly again but still fumbles for something in his suit jacket pocket. He pulls out a small black flash drive, thrusting it into your chest. “Give this to Jimin, tell him to use it.”

Eyes wide, you take the flash drive from him and slip it into your back jean pocket.

“You can’t let anyone else get it,” he continues, breathing hard as he winces in pain. “No one except him.”

“Okay,” you nod, squeezing his palm gently to reassure him although your mind is still stuck on trying to process the bleeding man in your kitchen to even take in what he’s saying. “I promise, now let me call you an ambulance—”

“There’s no time, I’m sorry, they’re coming,” he says, desperately now. “I won’t be able to help you.”

“Seojun, what—“

The sound of a window being smashed at the front of your house cuts the words off in your throat and Seojun’s hand tightens around your wrist. 

“Y/N,” he says, voice firmer and louder than before. “Go.” 

You look back at him, heart pounding frantically in your chest as you hear multiple voices coming from somewhere in your house. Seojun starts to stand up, using you to help him. 

He’s leaning against the wall, the fatal wound to his chest forgotten as he pulls his gun out and grasps you tightly around the arm. “Now.”

The voices outside get louder, and there’s a voice in the back of your head telling you to listen to Seojun – you need to go. 

Closing your fingers around your own gun again, you nod, pushing down the part of you that wants to stay with Seojun. He’s injured and you know if he doesn’t get help now he’s going to bleed out. However, you also know a fatal wound when you see one, and so does Seojun.

He’s filling the barrel of his gun with bullets as the voices get louder and you know that he’s about to buy you the time you need to get away. Because of that, you do as he asks.

Blinking back tears, you step away from him and towards the back door of the kitchen while cocking your gun again. Before you even get there, the kitchen window is being smashed in and you coil instinctively to avoid the flying shards of glass.

From somewhere behind you, you hear Seojun yell your name but you’re now focused on the man who’s standing ahead of you with a hammer in his hand. Gun raised, you shoot at him but he darts sideways before swinging his arm towards you with the hammer.

He misses you by an inch as you duck and aim your gun at him again. But before you can shoot, he grabs the gun and tugs hard, pulling you into his body. With a loud grunt, he raises the hammer and gets ready to take another swing at you, except the sound of three shots firing pierce the air and his body falls to the floor beside you.

Head turning around wildly, you see Seojun still leaning against the wall with his gun aimed towards you. He just saved your life. Before you can even get the words out to thank him, two more men jump through the kitchen window and the voices from out in the hallway show their  faces.

There’s half a dozen of them in total and you have no way out now. Seojun pulls on your hand to keep you close to him and it dawns on you now that this isn’t like anything you’re used to – these men are trained fighters, not just some lousy guards put out to watch a warehouse or defend a shipment of weapons. You’ve trained since a young age too, so you know you could at least fight them one on one, but this is different. These men are dangerous and you have no doubt that they’re the ones who put the fatal bullet into Seojun.

As you look around at them, you find yourself staring at one of them… he looks familiar and it suddenly returns to you that he’s the man who bumped into you outside your cafe–

“Y/N,” Seojun whispers harshly, “help is coming so run as soon as you get the chance, okay?”

You nod subtly, watching as the men part for one of them, undoubtedly their leader, to step closer. He’s a tall man, butch and quite frankly, frightening. His eyes are focused on Seojun and his upper lip curls as he sneers.

 “...All of that, for nothing.” His voice is emotionless and laced with wickedness, as he seems to delight in seeing life leaving the once healthy body in front of him.

“Oh shut up, Minjun,” Seojun gets out breathlessly, grimacing in pain as he does. 

Minjun laughs hollowly, coming closer still. “I’d love to see Park’s reaction to this, his favourite little pup won’t be crawling back to him tonight.”

Your hand tightens around your pistol but you remain still – even you aren’t stupid enough to think you can shoot this man without receiving multiple bullets in return.

“Just shoot me then,” Seojun mutters, shifting on his feet as he struggles to stay standing.

Minjun scoffs amusedly. “Not just yet. I’ve got questions for you first…” He looks your way and an icy shiver runs down your spine. “Who’s this?”

“I don’t know, this is the first house I found for shelter,” Seojun answers, his voice laced with desperation. “Just take me, she’s innocent.” 

Minjun pauses, his eyes lowering to the gun in your hand. “Innocent?” 

“Yes, she knows nothing.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” Minjun says as he walks forward again, closing the distance.

“Minjun,” Seojun says, voice raised. “I’m here, I know everything you want to know, not her–”

As though an invisible fuse has been cut, Minjun loses his temper and throws a heavy punch to Seojun’s jaw, flooring him instantly. 

“Seojun,” you gasp, kneeling beside him as a raspy groan escapes him. Fear travels through your body in waves as you see blood beginning to pool out from beside him.

When you meet his gaze, there’s a distant glassiness to his eyes which stand out against his pale, clammy skin. 

You’ve been in plenty of fist fights before, you’ve been in real danger and have had to fight your way out of it, but this – being someone you care about – this is something entirely new to you and for the first time in a long time, you’re frightened. 

“She knows nothing, hm?” Minjun scoffs. “She clearly knows you.”

Reaching out for Seojun’s hand, you look at the man towering above you, ready to beg. “Please–”

“Y/N!” Siho’s familiar voice fills the air and you freeze.

She appears at the kitchen door, glock raised as she looks around wildly at all the men who are pointing their own right back at her. She clearly wasn’t expecting anything like this and her eyes find you and she looks at you fearfully. “What–”

“Siho, go,” your voice trembles as you call out to her, but it’s too late. Two shots pierce through the air and you watch as your friend drops dead to the floor in front of you. 

A hollowness fills your chest. “No,” you whisper, mindlessly releasing Seojun’s hand to move to her but before you can get anywhere, Minjun is kicking you hard in the chest and you get pushed back to the wall. Only now do you realise how hard you’re breathing, the shaky breaths causing your shoulders to rise as you feel your back sink against the wall. 

“Something you should know,” he says slowly, inspecting the shaft of his gun as he crouches in front of you almost mockingly after he just shot your friend, before he looks right at you. “I don't like being interrupted. Now, tell me who you are, and don’t lie.”

Minjun’s gaze is terrifying and intense; you can’t bring yourself to look at him so you close your eyes and turn your head away from him.

But he doesn’t take well to that so he draws his hand back and it lands on your face with a sharp sting.

Despite being afraid, you manage to turn your head towards him and goosebumps prickle your skin when he stares at you. 

His face is marred with deep lines and red marks, some fresh and some old. Half of one brow looks as though it’s been burnt off and his nose is so deformed it looks as though it has been broken over and over. 

“Answer me,” he growls with a piercing stare.

Before you can even answer, you hear the sound of a gun cocking next to you. Seojun has his gun aimed at Minjun but he’s lost too much blood, his mind disorientated as he tries to press the trigger.

“Ha!” Minjun laughs, effortlessly taking the gun free from his hand. “What an idiot.” He shakes his head, looking down at the gun before shrugging and pulling the trigger. 

“No!” you cry, body jerking backwards as you become paralysed at the sight of Seojun’s body going limp, his eyes becoming lifeless as his head rolls to the side and he moves no more. A choked sob escapes your throat but you don't even have a second to process it.

“Come here, darling.” Minjun places his hand on your shoulder gently. His other hand rests on your face and you shudder when you feel the callused thumb swipe the tears off your cheeks. “Look at me.” He speaks softly but you know better than to fall for that.

His finger hooks under your chin and he lifts your head up to make you look at him. When your eyes meet his, you freeze.

“Just tell me what you know, sweetheart, and we’ll let you go,” he coaxes, nodding his head with a malicious grin on his face. 

“I���I don’t know any-anything. Plea–“

Mjnjun’s fist crashes into your face as your body involuntarily jerks towards the floor. 

Pain sears through you, blinding you and all you can do is gasp from shock, feeling blood trickle down your skin. 

“I told you not to lie,” Minjun growls, dragging you up by your shoulders. You have no strength left to lift yourself or even try to resist, not that you would. 

“Now tell me, what do you know?” 

He shakes you violently as he speaks but you don’t respond, still adjusting to the pain which only worsens as the salty tears silently stream down your face. Now your breaths are uneven and with each draw, you feel more suffocated, unable to even think past the image of Seojun’s lifeless body. 

Your silence serves as an answer for Minjun. He punches you straight in the ribs and watches emotionless as you keel over in pain. A cry escapes you, though you don’t feel it – your mind feels like a completely separate entity from your body. 

So when you hear the sound of feet scuffling and Dani’s voice crying out your name, you can only stay hunched over on the floor.

“Caught her trying to contact someone, boss,” one of the men holding her says gruffly, tossing her phone to Minjun. 

Dani looks across the room, her eyes doubling back to where Siho lies dead in a pool of her own blood. You can see the fear and regret in her eyes as she meets your gaze. “I’m sorry,” she mouths.

You don’t have time to do anything before Minjun gives a curt nod in the direction of the door, and then she’s being dragged away from you by four guards needed to restrain her. Seconds later, a single shot sounds. 

It leaves you feeling numb, unable to do anything as Minjun drags you to your feet by your collar. 

“Two guards and this one…” he kicks Seojun. “You’re clearly someone. What’s your name?” he hisses, his patience clearly having run out long ago – the three dead bodies in your home prove that.

Words don’t leave your mouth and your gaze falls helplessly to Siho’s body. Tears well in your eyes and a harsh sob escapes from your throat.  

“Fucking useless,” Minjun muttters, pushing you against the wall. “Search her,” he commands one of his men beside him.

At this point, you don’t even remember the little device in your pocket. You’re simply numb from everything that’s happened in the last ten minutes and when your eyes land on Seojun’s body and his glassy orbs staring emptily at the floor, you just want to scream.

But you don’t. You physically can’t. 

Hands pat you down, starting along your arms, slipping inside your shirt to feel under your arms, around your back, groping your chest, all around your abdomen, and up and down your legs. You remain entirely helpless as they do so. 

Then they start searching your pockets.

… Your gaze moves to the door, where Dani lies outside.

First your cardigan pockets. Empty.

… Across from you is Siho, the glock she was going to use to save you resting ahead of her.

Then your front jeans pockets. Empty. 

… Your head turns, meeting the vacant gaze of Seojun – you feel your stomach flip and a spark of indignation catches in your throat. Subconsciously, your fists curl.

Then your back jeans pockets. A hand pulls out the small black device and he holds it up in front of him, directly between you and Minjun who raises his brow in mock amusement.

“What a pretty little liar you are?” he snickers, stepping closer to take the flash drive in his hands. 

You don’t respond, but collapse to the floor as the men let go of you. From fear? Exhaustion? Grief? You don’t know. 

Then Minjun comes towards you, pulling a small knife from his back pocket. “You just wasted my time, beautiful…” He grabs you by your throat and pulls you up to your feet. 

The feeling of his strong hand pressing into your larynx returns you to your senses as the real threat of being killed looms over you. 

Minjun trails the sharp edge of the knife along your cheek, down towards your neck. He leans forward and speaks low. “I don‘t take well to that…” The stench of him fills your nostrils, and the knife presses against your skin. One more glance at Seojun, and suddenly, you snap.

Your knee comes up hard and you grab a hold of Minjun’s wrist, yanking it back with all your strength to twist his body in front of you. 

“Sir!” 

The voices of his men shouting drown out his low groans as he now stands, disarmed and held in a tight lock in front of you. You're holding him by his arm twisted backwards around his back and your other hand grabs the gun at his waist, a SIG Sauer pistol – it feels secure in your hand and you press the barrel to Minjun’s head. Adrenaline starts to surge through you as your mind races, completely forgetting about Minjun’s other hand hanging free at his side.

“Don’t move or I’ll shoot him,” you warn his men, backing up towards the window.  

Minjun chuckles a low chuckle. “Will you now?”

“Yes,” you answer through gritted teeth, moving back with him towards the back door. 

“Liar.”

“Don’t tempt me,” you hiss, anger swelling in your chest.

Minjun laughs again, coming to a stop despite your grip on him. “You think you’re smart, don’t you? I know you won’t do it.”

“Oh yeah?” Fingers digging tightly into his skin, you drag his head back and shoot him straight in the calf. “You don’t know shit about me.”

Minjun falls to his knees, a string of swear words leaving his mouth and his weight pulls you down with him. “Your first mistake was fucking lying to me,” he heaves, fingers grabbing your jaw tightly. 

A sharp pain shoots down your wrist. You cry out as Minjun’s blade cuts through your skin, the gun almost dropping from your hand as you grab your bleeding wrist.

He tries to retrieve the gun, struggling to get back to his feet but you step back just in time.

“You’re lucky I can’t kill you right here,” Minjun snarls, facing you as he pushes away the guards who try to help him up. “But once Lee is done with you, I swear I’m going to fucki–“

Bang. 

“FUCK!” Minjun staggers, falling backwards with his hand pressed against his shoulder, very close to his chest where blood spreads staining his white shirt crimson. 

Another shot sounds and one of Minjun’s men goes down. Then another, and another. 

“Park,” Minjun growls, pure rage flashing in his eyes. “I’ll fucking kill you!” Despite the two wounds to his shoulder and leg, he gets up and grabs a gun from the closest man. “What the fuck are you waiting for?!” he yells. “Shoot the bastards!”

Within a second, the air is filled with the sounds of shots firing and you drop to the ground, crawling as fast as you can out of the way. Their shots are returned from outside but the majority of your house is surrounded entirely by trees so you can’t see where they’re coming from. 

As you go, you spot the flash drive on the floor and Seojun’s face comes to mind. He died for whatever is on there. Reaching out, you grab the device without a second's hesitation. When you get behind the kitchen island, you quickly stuff the drive in your pocket. Pain still shoots down your arm and there’s blood dripping from you, staining the tiles. When you look up, you realise there’s blood everywhere.

“Show me your fucking face, Park!” Minjun rages, shooting all over the place, but he’s also bleeding heavily now, the front of his shirt rapidly being dyed red. His men are dying all around him as they shoot aimlessly out the window and you snatch a gun from the closest one, looking up just in time to see the last man fall. There’s only you and Minjun left.

He curses as the last man goes down, head whipping towards you. Drawing a pocket knife out from his waist, he lunges towards you but you slide backwards on the floor, aiming the gun at his head.

“Don’t,” you warn breathlessly.

His upper lip curls. “Fucking bitch.” He holds his gun up to you. “You’re useless to me.”

There’s no question that he’s about to shoot and you’re ready to do the same, but before that can happen, three men dressed in all black suits come barging into your kitchen and another two through the window. 

Minjun shouts in frustration, shooting at you which you narrowly avoid by sliding behind the kitchen island. As you go, you see the tallest of the three men disarm Minjun with ease. 

“You’re too late,” Minjun says, voice low as he turns around.

One of them steps forward, a man whose features look incredibly familiar to you. 

He aims his gun straight at Minjun’s head. The look on his face is fierce and his gaze is steady. “Where is he?”

Minjun laughs weakly, the energy slowly draining from his body. 

The man’s jaw tenses and he kicks Minjun's knee out from beneath him. His movements are sharp, agile — it’s clear to you that he’s done this many times before. 

Minjun falls to his knees, his laugh subsiding into a weak raspy breath. He looks up with no fear and no remorse. “I told you, you’re too late.” He looks in the direction of Seojun’s body, and the man’s gaze follows.

His mouth twitches and you can see the grief that fills his face as he stares at the body, but it only takes a few seconds for it to change into unmistakable anger. In a split second, his arm is raised and he shoots Minjun in his thigh.

At first, Minjun cries out, falling to his side as blood pools from him rapidly. Then he laughs remorselessly like a madman. “Which of your boys will be next, Park?”

Familiarity hits you there and then – Park Jimin. As you watch him step towards Minjun, you realise how different this man looks from the young boy you once played tag with in your home.

Jimin doesn’t miss his mark as he throws a hard punch across Minjun’s face, nor does he wait a second before punching him again… and again… and again. Your stomach turns as Minjun still laughs between each throw, almost taunting Jimin to keep going, even when he’s choking on his own blood. 

Gathering a fistful of hair, Jimin pulls Minjun’s head back and pulls out his gun. He holds it to his head.

Minjun coughs, blood spattering Jimin’s crisp white shirt. “Do it,” he rasps. “An eye for an eye, eh, Park?” Minjun chuckles, the sound getting lost as he coughs weakly again. 

Jimin however, goes incredibly still, gaze piercing into Minjun. 

“Your old man knew more than you ever will–” he coughs again, breaths slowing down– “it’s taking you too long to learn, boy. The Lee’s will come for every fucking person you care about, make you watch as they bleed out in front of ya,” he sneers, licking blood off his lips. “Then they’ll kill you like it’s nothing.”

Of the many emotions showing on Jimin’s face, fear isn’t one of them.

Unnervingly calm, Jimin speaks. “I’m not going to kill you.” Tracing the barrel of his gun down Minjun’s cheek, he pushes it under his throat. “No, that would be too easy.” 

Jimin holds out his gun and with immediate understanding, one of his men, with dark curls steps forward and takes the gun and place a small Gerber knife in his hand instead.

Grip tightening on on his hair, Jimin lifts the man and turns his head in the direction of Seojun, ignoring the grunts of pain from him. Looking away from Seojun, Jimin keeps Minjun’s head facing that way as he speaks.  “You don’t deserve an easy way out.” Slowly, he pushes the knife into Minjun’s shoulder and twists.

Minjun tries to keep down the pain but fails to do so, falling to his knees again.

“See?” Jimin looks down, eyes deadly focused on Minjun. “Just like this.” He twists deeper. “I’m going to cut you apart, and then piece you back together. And I’ll do it over and over.”

“Then what?” Minjun rasps.

Jimin pulls the knife out, throwing it to the floor in front of Minjun. Blood splatters on the tiles and Minjun’s head lowers. 

“You’ll see.”

With another wordless gesture, the two tallest men drag Minjun away somewhere and out of sight.

Once they’ve left, the room is silent aside from Jimin’s slow steady breaths. His gaze travels towards where Seojun’s body lies and you watch him carefully as he walks across the room, dropping his gun to the floor to kneel beside Seojun. 

Jimin’s expression softens and he gently takes Seojun’s hand into his own, and just like that, you’re reminded of the boy you once knew. He brings the back of Seojun’s palm to his mouth and he places a kiss on his skin. As he lowers his hand to rest over his chest, his round eyes water, but he blinks once and it’s gone. 

“Jimin.” One of his men, a tall, slender man with chestnut hair, calls his name. When Jimin looks at him, his gaze immediately lands on you.

You instinctively rise at the same time he does, raising the gun you hold in your hand. 

Yes, you knew Jimin once, but many years have passed and you’d be stupid not to be wary.

“Don’t come near me.” You swallow hard, having to press your back against the wall as you feel incredibly weak, but you can’t let this show.

Jimin says nothing as he takes a small step, eyes locking with yours and for a split second you almost lower your gun when you see something familiar in those brown eyes of his. 

Then one of his other men, a well built man with long dark curls held back in a bun, draws your attention. “Miss,” he says politely. “We just want to help.”

“I don’t need your help, just get out of my house.” Your voice tightens as you look at Siho’s body. You force your gaze away.

Jimin takes another step, watching you carefully. “You…” he murmurs, hesitating as a soft frown appears on his face before he shakes his head once. “Why did Seojun come here?” He asks, voice softer than when he spoke with Minjun, but the question is enough to anger you and you stare at him in bewilderment.

Pushing off the wall, you walk towards him and a loud click echoes in the room as you release the safety with your thumb.

In return, three guns are cocked and aimed at you. 

Jimin, however, doesn’t even blink. 

“Put the gun down, miss.” The same man addresses you calmly with his finger hovering over the trigger, glancing between Jimin and you. 

Now it’s you who doesn’t falter. “I don’t know why Seojun came here,” you say calmly, “and I don’t know who those men were. I’ve only ever spoken to him a few times and he never told me anything about himself. I know nothing.”

Admittedly, that’s a lie, but until you have more answers yourself, you’re not saying anything.

Jimin is quiet but his gaze is steady. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

“You don’t,” you answer quietly. “But it’s my word or nothing.”

A beat of silence passes and it feels like an eternity. Your gun remains aimed at Jimin and his men hold theirs up to you, but you know they won’t shoot – there’s something sure in Jimin’s gaze as you both stand there in the middle of the room staring at each other, something that tells you you’re safe. 

He doesn’t say anything at all as he looks past the barrel of your gun to hold your gaze, and for a moment you wonder if he recognises you just like you’ve recognised him, but it can’t be. 

In the years since your father died, your grandma has done everything to protect you, including changing your surname and moving towns. Jimin, however, had a foot in the limelight for as long as his father was alive which is why you still manage to recognise the grown man before you. 

Just as you begin to feel a wave of weakness pass over you again, Jimin looks at the man closest to him, a broad man with jet black hair. With the smallest shake of his head, his men stand down.

You let out a slow breath, lowering your own gun as Jimin turns back to you. 

He looks down at your wrist and the smallest wrinkle appears between his brow. “You’re bleeding.”

“I’ll be fine,” you mutter, hand closing over your throbbing wrist. 

“You’ve lost a lot of blood.”

You almost huff impatiently. “It’s not all mine.”

Jimin pauses to look down at your thigh. “You need someone to look at that–now.”

Confused, your eyes follow and your stomach coils when you see a gash on your thigh, the blood darkening the denim of your jeans. You don’t even know when that happened.

Clenching your fists, you look back up. “I said I'll be fine.”

Contrary to your words, when you turn away a little too quickly, everything blurs and spins. Just as everything starts to go dark, you stumble backwards and Jimin is moving towards you. 

The last thing you feel is warm hands closing around you, lowering you gently to the ground.

note. thank you so much for reading! please share your thoughts with me and if you have any questions ask awayyy! (especially as it only gets more intense :) the action should take a bit of a break though as we’re introduced to and learn more about the characters 😋 (also writing action is hard 😭)

[deathbyhertouch]

3 Musketeers

stripper!reader x boygenius

AN: Sorry this took so long, I wanted to really make it special. I hope you like it. I'm happy with it, maybe a bit too much lol

word count: 3.8k

warnings: smut (18+, mdni), group sex, stripper, pussy eating, face riding, fingering, bad descriptions of dancing, multiple orgasms, overstimulation ( if you squint), fluff at the end

here is the playlist for this fic

Your shift was running at a glacial pace. The money wasn’t coming in and there were little to no customers at this point. You were last to be cut for the night, internally kicking yourself for agreeing to pick up the shift. You would’ve much rather been cuddling up in your lonely apartment with a bottle of cheap wine and a blunt. Perhaps another night for that.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! Please give it up for Poppy!”

You made your way to the stage, before grabbing some cleaner and a cloth. You shook your hips as you walked towards the pole. You made quite the spectacle of cleaning it thoroughly before walking the rag and cleaner back to the side stage. You wrapped a hand around the pole, shaking your ass, perhaps a bit too dramatic. You smiled widely, looking at the 2 people actually sitting at the stage. 2 older guys that probably didn’t want to be here, let alone to watch your routine. You flashed a wink at them anyway, as they each hesitantly threw a dollar bill at your foot. You turned to face the pole, wrapping your legs in unison with your hands. You twirled around, making sure to show off your scantily clad breasts. Your body flowed so smoothly, almost as though you were being puppeteered. 

As your song played to its end, you finished up your song before collecting the very small payload off the floor. You grabbed your small bag that you keep your earnings in. You waltzed off the stage, towards the DJ Booth to give him your next couple songs, instead of that happening tho, you felt a heavy hand tap your shoulders. You turned to see one of the bouncers, a large burly man with a greasy ponytail.

“Champagne Room, you’re booked for the next hour.” He grumbled at you. Your eyes widened, an hour? You flashed him a small smile, and turned on your heels. You were nervous, after all, you had never been booked for that long before, usually just a lap dance or two. You anxiously made your way to the gilded room, golden beaded curtains and a bright neon sign reading ‘champagne room’. You took a deep breath, stabling yourself before drawing back the curtain and heading inside. You looked along the plush, carpeted room, and saw three figures seated across the far end of the room. You made your way to the small bar cart, pouring four glasses of the strawberry champagne, provided by the club. You placed the glasses on a tray and strutted over to your audience. It felt like forever before you were in front of them, finally seeing their faces for the first time, it was three very attractive women, something familiar about them, but you couldn’t quite place it. 

“Welcome to the champagne room, ladies. My name is Poppy, please enjoy a drink with me.” You spoke, with a smile on your face as you handed each of them a glass of champagne. They looked at each other, seemingly sharing a telepathic conversation. You brushed it off, taking a swig of your own drink.

“I’m Lucy, this is Phoebe, and Julien.” The raven-haired woman spoke, pointing towards the other two as she said their names. You smiled and gave a wink to them. You nodded and set your drink down on a small table beside them. 

“Lovely to meet you, so rare to get booked in the champagne room, let alone by three of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen in my life.” You cooed at them. “Is this your first time here at the Lioness Lounge?” You were certain you would’ve remembered faces like theirs. Fuck, this must be a dream. Your eyes moved from each one, taking their sweet time memorizing each of them.

“Yeah, we are celebrating tonight. A friend of Lucy’s recommended this place, said something about the best dancers, hoping to have a great night, especially considering you are gorgeous.” The smallest one, Julien, told you. Her words making a blush creep up your neck, you hummed contently. 

“Thank you, doll. So, what are we celebrating tonight?” You asked, connecting your phone to the nearby speaker, putting on your dance playlist. You began to sway your hips, making your way to the small platform. 

“W-We are in a band, our new album releases tomorrow. We wanted to have a mini party of our own tonight before the release party.” Phoebe murmured, her eyes fixated on your body. Normally, you didn’t care for lingering stares, but this was your job, and you made bank so it was fine. Seeing how her eyes, as well as the other two, were fixated on you, made you feel warm and excited. 

“Ah, I see. Well, that does call for celebration. How does a show sound?” You purred at her, moving your body as seductively as you could, wanting to impress them. The thought of actually wanting to impress a customer, enough to get them to remember you, was a rarity, one that hasn’t happened in quite a while. You bent forward, tightening the straps of your heels, before standing up slowly. You made sure to push out your ass, running your hands sensually over your body as you fully stood up. You rubbed a hand over your pussy, rubbing a small circle over your clit, before you moved to grab your clothed breasts, pinching your already hard nipples between your forefingers and thumbs. You heard a small ‘fuck’, although you couldn’t figure out which one. 

You moved off the platform, moving onto your hands and knees before crawling towards them. You had your best ‘fuck me’ eyes on, making sure to push your tits between your arms, really wanting to accentuate them. As you grew closer, you could feel the nervous tension off each of them. As you were kneeled in front of them, you placed your left hand on Lucy’s knee, the right on Julien’s, and you placed a chaste kiss on each of Phoebe’s knees. You snaked your way up, dragging your breasts across her lap, before pushing against hers. You were inches apart and her eyes were wide, pupils blown. 

“Hi.” You whispered, before placing a small kiss on her nose. You were quick to notice her breath start to waver, a dark red crawling across her cheeks. You took that as your cue to continue, moving your head towards her neck. You made sure to drag your lips down her jawline, before pulling her earlobe into your mouth. You let out a loud moan, making sure the others heard. You swirled your tongue around the soft flesh before letting go. You pulled back enough to see her face. She was in bliss, mouth slightly agape, eyes quick to meet yours. You blew her a kiss and stood up to make your way around the back of the couch.

 In unison, all three heads followed your movements as if there were strings attached to them. You stood behind Julien, her head fully leaned back against the couch, so she could keep eye contact with you. You placed a kiss on her forehead, making her grin up at you. You matched her smile.

“May I?” You asked, placing your hands on her shoulders, giving them a slight rub. She nodded a bit too excited and you let out a small giggle, loving how adorable she looked under your touch. You lowered your head so it was next to hers, blowing on her ear. She shuddered a bit from the sensation, letting out a whimper. You moved your hands from her shoulders, down to her collarbones, just above where she wanted you to touch her. Your fingers inched across her skin, almost feather-light to the touch. 

“Tell me what you want, baby. I want to hear you use your words.” You breathed against her ear. “I-I want you to touch me. Please.” She whined, her eyes watching your hands closely. You giggled, obliged to give this sweet thing anything she desired. Your hands slipped under the button up shirt she wore, wrapping your fingers around her breasts. You kneaded the soft flesh achingly slow. She let out a breathy moan, melting under your skilled hands. You rolled her nipples under your fingers, pressing a kiss to her neck. You were incredibly turned on, wanting nothing more than to end your shift, and take these girls back to your place. You gave her breasts one more light squeeze, before removing your hands completely from her. If looks could kill, you would be 6 feet under. Her brows were furrowed at the abrupt stop. 

“Sorry baby, I want to keep all 3 of you happy.” You murmured, pressing another kiss to her forehead. She huffed, yet made no further protest. You moved from the back of the couch, rubbing a hand across all of their shoulders. You strutted to the front of the couch, stopping in front of Lucy. She swallowed harshly, her eyes on yours, waiting for your instruction. You smiled and held your hand out for her. She smiled and brought hers to yours, interlacing your fingers. You placed her hand on your breast, allowing her to touch you. She graciously accepted, squeezing your boob, as if she was going to break you. You let out a moan, pushing your chest into her hand, inviting her to touch you more. Your eyes closed, head falling back onto your shoulders. Her hand moved down, moving to your hip, the other joining the first on your other hip. She pulled you forward, moving you to straddle her lap. You opened your eyes, wanting to focus on her. Your hands moved up to her shoulders to support you. She had a large smile on her face, red lips calling out to you. You leaned in, pressing your forehead to hers.

“Can I kiss you, darling?” She whispered, leaning in halfway to yours. You didn’t answer, moving to capture her mouth with yours. Her lips were soft, forming against your own. You moaned into the kiss, and she took the opportunity to slip her tongue in your mouth. You were so enamored with Lucy, you barely noticed Phoebe moving behind you, running her fingers up your arms. She pressed her lips to your ear, letting out a low growl. 

“How soon can we get out of here, babe?” She asked, lips never leaving your ear. You broke your kiss with Lucy, looking up at her with big doe eyes.

“Whenever you want, love. I just need to cash out.” You murmured. She smiled down at you, looking over at Julien, who gave her a small nod. Lucy, not wanting to be forgotten, pulled your hips down, grinding your dripping core against the rough fabric of her pants. You moaned, and Phoebe’s lips moved down your neck. She sank her teeth into your neck, sucking a bruise into your flesh. You gasped, already feeling your orgasm drawing near. 

“JB, care to join?” Lucy posed the question to the third girl, who had been silent for the most part. She smiled before standing to join the three of you. She switched places with Phoebe, wrapping a hand across your chest, pulling your heaving tits out of the confines of the strappy lace bralette. Lucy groaned at the sight of you, Phoebe moving to sit closer to achieve a better look.

“Whaddya think, boys, shall we make her cum before we take her home?” Julien asked, her inked hands moving south towards your wet, aching cunt. You whined, nodding your head. “Please, let me cum. I’ll be so good for you.” You bargained, wanting to please the three of them. 

“I believe she’s earned it, JB. Pheebs?” Lucy quipped, looking to the blonde beside her for an answer. Phoebe smiled and hummed, nodding her head. You felt Julien’s other hand grab your jaw, pulling your face to look up at hers. She pulled you into a heavy kiss, teeth mashing and tongues wrestling. You gasped into her mouth as you felt her fingers finally run through your slick folds. Her middle and index fingers slipped inside your pussy and her thumb moved to rub sweet circles on your clit. You moaned into her mouth. You could feel a hand roughly grab your tit, and another gripping your hip tightly. Julien giggled into your mouth, pumping her fingers faster, her thumb applying more pressure to your swollen nub. You whined, feeling your orgasm drawing to a close. The girls, also noticing how close you were to your release, only doubled down on your assault. You broke off the kiss, leaning your head back against Julien’s chest. 

“You gonna cum for us, princess? Make a mess all over Lucy’s thighs for us. C’mon pretty girl.” Phoebe purred in your ear, massaging your nipples, egging you on further. Your body listened, attentive to their guiding words and touch. You felt your orgasm hit you hard, no doubt your arousal leaving a mark over Lucy’s pants. You cried out, as they rode you through the ecstasy that filled you to the brim. As you came down, you could feel your legs shaking. Julien pulled her fingers out of you and brought them to your mouth. You happily suckled on them, moaning at the taste of your release. She pulled them out of your mouth before leaning down to kiss your lips briefly. Phoebe stood up, quickly downing her near-forgotten glass of champagne. Julien backed up, allowing you to stand off of Lucy’s lap. As you moved to stand for yourself, Lucy grabbed your hips and pulled you back down, bringing your lips back to hers. She hummed sweetly into your mouth, pulling away as quickly as she pulled you in. You smiled, blushing harder than ever at the sweet gesture.

“C’mon sweet girl, go close out, and grab your purse. We’ll meet you outside.” Phoebe assured you, pressing a kiss to your cheek. You nodded, pulling your lingerie back in place. 

❃❃❃❃❃❃❃❃❃❃❃❃

You had closed out, gotten your belongings, and were now seated on the very plush sofa in your apartment. You were currently naked, Phoebe on your left, Julien on the right. Lucy’s face was currently buried in your wet cunt. Your legs were over her shoulders, while the other two were alternating between sucking dark hickies into your neck and groping your boobs. You could die happily here, there wasn’t a doubt in your mind about it. 

“Fuck, Luce, I’m close. I can’t hold it much longer. Please fuck let me cum.” You moaned, your hips bucking hard into her face. She moaned against you, the vibrations threatening to push you over the edge. She pulled back, her chin dripping with your juices. Phoebe smiled at her and pulled her into a wet kiss, eager to taste you. You whined, turning to Julien, who had a shit eating grin on her face. She pulled you onto her lap, your knees on either side of her hips. 

“Does our pretty girl want to cum? Again?” She cooed at you, pulling your hips down so your wet cunt was grinding against her jeans. You gasped and nodded at her. She mockingly nodded back at you. “Guess you’ll have to be a good girl for us, huh?” She teased. You wanted nothing more than anything to please her.

“Let’s go to the bedroom, pet. We can really take our time with you.” Lucy spoke to you, enjoying how much of a puddle you were for them. You stood up, grabbing Phoebe’s hand, the other two following behind, leading them to your room. You turned on your small lamp, setting a subtle glow for ambience. 

You felt a pair of hands on your waist and a pair of lips on your bare shoulder. You turned your head to see Phoebe, already looking into yours. You smiled and drew her into a passionate kiss, humming at the taste of her tongue on yours. She turned you in her arms, tapping the back of your thighs to signal you to jump. You gladly did, wrapping your legs around her waist as she carried you to the bed, laying you down on your back before settling on top of you. She broke the kiss to move back down to your neck, biting into it, soothing the forming mark with her tongue. You looked over, seeing Julien and Lucy locking lips, undressing each other. It was cute, you weren’t sure what the dynamic was between the three of them, but you could tell there was a lot of passion and devotion, something you felt honored to be a part of, if only for the night.

“Eyes on me, beautiful.” Phoebe had pulled your face back to look at hers. She was hovering above you. “Hi.” You whispered, making her smile at you.

“You’re so fucking adorable. I love it.” She giggled. Lucy and Julien had now joined you both on the bed. Julien moved to switch spots with Phoebe, her lips ghosting down your chest and resting at your stomach. Your hands found their way into her hair, pulling it into a makeshift ponytail. She pressed a kiss to your pubic bone, eyes waiting for your permission to go further.

“Please, eat me. I need it.” You whined, waiting for her mouth where you had needed her most. That was all the sentiment she needed before diving into your wet cunt. You moaned, loudly, your grip on her hair tightening. She slipped a couple fingers back into your entrance, curling them inside of you. Your eyes peeled open and turned your head to look at the other two. Lucy was straddling Phoebe’s face, making the most tantalizing sounds. She looked down at you, running her hand over your hair, soothing you. Julien had pulled you back down to earth, suckling on your clit, her fingers were pumping in and out of you at a relentless pace.

“C’mon pretty girl, come for her, make a mess on her fingers. She needs to taste how heavenly you are. Julien, go faster. Get her there.” Lucy’s words worked magic on you, as you felt yet another orgasm begin to unfurl inside of you. You cried out, and Julien’s fingers begin to slow down, to help you ride out your orgasm. She pulled off your puffy pussy, to show you her beautiful face. 

“You weren’t kidding, that’s the sweetest little pussy. She’s practically gushing on my face.” Julien beamed up at the raven-haired woman. Lucy laughed and pulled her into a kiss, swapping spit and your release between their mouths. You slowed your breathing, slowly raising yourself up on your hands, before scooting over between Phoebe’s legs. You placed a small kiss on her clit. The small action was enough for Phoebe to let out a muffled moan, the vibrations in turn causing Lucy to gasp and grind her hips down onto the blonde’s jaw. 

You began to eat her out like you were a starved man, and this was a decadent feast laid in front of you. You wrapped your arms around her thighs, essentially imprisoning her against your body. You could tell she was growing close, so you sucked her clit into her mouth and began to suction hard on it, tongue flicking rapidly against it. She tried to match your pace, trying to get Lucy over the edge as well. Lucy moaned out, her buttery smooth voice sounded like an angel’s against your ear. Julien was rubbing circles on her own clit, wanting some relief of her own. Lucy’s orgasm was first, making her cry out against Phoebe’s mouth. 

“Pheebs, I want my turn with her. She can cum again, let me help her.” Poor Julien, feeling a bit left out, helped Lucy off of Phoebe’s face, and grabbed her hips, moving her onto her own face. Lucy was all fucked out but couldn’t resist the brunette’s sweet praises and encouragement. You were a bit busy, trying to get Phoebe to cum as well. You released one of your hands to reach up to tweak her own nipple. She cried out, and ran her hands through your hair. She gripped your hair tight, only encouraging you to keep going. 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, I’m so close, princess. I want to cum f’you. Please let me, I want to cum so bad.” She pleaded, and who were you to deny such a request. You moaned against her dripping pussy and fucked into her hole with your tongue. She cried out against you, her arousal now gushing over your face. Your arms tightened back around her thighs and her hips were bucking incessantly against your face. She tapped your arm once you came down, and you released her. You brought your face up, inches in front of her, and you reached your hand up to brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She blushed and kissed your lips. 

“We should keep you around. You are quite a fun addition.” She mumbled against your lips. You smiled at the statement. “Whenever you want, sugar.” You quipped back at her. A gasp broke your concentration, you both looked over, seeing Lucy finish, her juices coating Julien’s face with a sheer layer. Her hands were fisting through your sheets, absolutely enjoying herself. You smirked and moved to take one of her nipples into your mouth. Phoebe moved behind Julien, placing her mouth on Julien’s aching cunt from behind. Lucy moved to sit up a bit, Julien laying her head in Lucy’s lap. You brushed her hair, helping her relax a bit as Phoebe worked her magic on the smaller girl. 

“She’s right, y’know. We like you, we’d love to do this again sometime.” Lucy breathed down at you. You bit her nipple, not enough to hurt, just enough to elicit another moan out of her. You pulled off of her tit, looking back up at her. 

“I wouldn’t want anything else. I want you, all of you, all the time. Not even sexually, but in general.” You spoke truthfully. You wanted this to turn to more, you couldn’t get enough of them. Julien moaned loudly, cumming against Phoebe. You felt her slump forward a bit, exhausted from the intense orgasm. She hummed, and kissed Lucy’s thighs, wrapping an arm around her thigh, the other rubbing soothing circles on your own thigh. 

“My real name is Y/N, by the way. I just realized I never gave it to you guys. My apologies.” You let out a laugh, the realization of your fucked out brain forgetting to relay the information to them. Phoebe snorted, sticking a hand out to you.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Y/N.” She quipped at you, wiggling her eyebrows at you. You smiled and snuggled back into Lucy’s side. Phoebe quickly moved to your backside, spooning you. You were overjoyed at tonight’s events. 

Love, A

[aanoia]

No

James Potter x reader

Summary; James won't give up until he gets a yes

Warnings; James is lowkey and pushover and I'm pretty sure asking someone to go out over and over again is harassment so that too

Words; idk man

Pt. 2

“No.” I said sternly, returning to my book.

“Come on, Y/n, please. One date, then you can be done with me forever.” James pleaded, an easy smirk resting on his face.

“James, I’d rather be done with you right now.” I persisted.

“But you can’t. So, a date?”

“You know this is harassment right?”

“I am very aware. Does tomorrow sound good?”

I scoffed and shook my head, “No.”

He smiled proudly and began walking away, “Tomorrow it is. Meet me in the common rooms at 10, baby.”

I rolled my eyes as Remus laughed quietly beside me as he listened to the interaction.

“Are you gonna go?” He asked quietly.

“Nope.” I sighed and went back to reading.

“I don’t believe you, like at all.” Sirius deadpanned as he sat on the couch in the common room, his fingers gently threading through Remus’s hair who had his head on his lap as he quietly read his book.

“I’m serious, Sirius.” James said, waiting patiently for his date.

“No, I’m Sirius, James.” The boy responded.

James rolled his eyes as the clock rang out, signaling the new hour. It was officially ten. James stood up excitedly, knowing Y/n was always perfectly on time, never early and never late, with the exception of class where she seemed to get there before the dismissal bell even rang. He waited patiently, however the girl never came.

“Oh, Prongs, I knew you were lying.” Sirius said.

“No, she’s coming. She must just be late.”

“She’s never late.”

James ignored him and continued watching the stairs from the Girl’ dormitory. Thirty minutes passed before James sat down with a sigh.

“I’m sorry, James. She probably forg-” Peter paused as he looked up, expecting to see a sulking James, instead, the boy had a smirk on his face, already planning the next way he was going to ask the girl out. It was going to be big this time.

Y/n sat quietly in the Great Hall, working on a potions essay as her friends laughed around her. The mail owls swooped in but Y/n ignored them, not expecting anything. She jumped slightly in surprise when a piece of folded up parchment was dropped in front of her.

“I thought you weren’t expecting anything, Y/n.” Her friend said and Y/n cautiously held the paper in her hands.

“I wasn’t.” She told them and gently opened the paper.

‘Look up.’ It wrote and she furrowed her brows before doing as told. The moment she looked, flower petals of all kinds dropped around her like an endless rain. A small gasp left her lips as she felt her clothes change and she looked down to see herself in a beautiful white, flowy dress. Petals began sewing themselves into the dress, creating pink and red flowers. Her hair had been taken out of its usual ponytail and had been let down and slightly curled as the raining petals weaved themselves into a flower crown around her head. Loud music began playing as students burst into the Great Hall with instruments, causing her to jump slightly. She looked down the table as she heard the Marauders hollering at her with large smiles on their faces.

James stood on the table in a slightly tattered tux, probably from his dad. He held a large sign in his hands. Once Y/n saw what was written she stood up angrily and walked to the end of the table, the petals following her as her dress swished violently behind her.

“Y/n!” James said excitedly and jumped off the table. She didn’t say anything, instead she roughly grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the Great Hall. She led him outside, where the sun was setting.

“What is wrong with you?” Y/n questioned, raising her voice slightly as anger flowed through her veins. “I’ve said no a million times! Why can’t you just take no for an answer and leave me alone! I am so sick and tired of this, James!”

James smiled softly at her. It was different from his usual smirk, this was sweet and adoring.

“You’re beautiful.” He whispered and the girl was slightly taken aback, having never received that compliment from anyone other than her parents and close friends. Never from a boy. “And I will always, always ask you out. Until you say yes, I always will.”

Y/n let an angry sigh from her nose, “I’ll never say yes.” She told him.

“I don’t believe in never.” James said.

“I don’t believe in always.” Y/n countered.

“Well, opposites attract.”

“Never.” She raised her brows.

“Always.” He finished, smirking

[bbrokenbback]

Hairstyle hcs time!

So recently ive been thinking what if all of those bald-ass primarchs actually had visited a hairdresser of some sort at least once in their lives instead of taking a razor and getting rid of all their hair. And also what if other who canonically have hair had something actually good on their heads instead of just going in a fight with flowing hair of theirs and idk being tugged on it by some warboss of whatever.

So there it.

I. Lion ElJonson. I think he should have had some sort of braids and it is also going to be probably just as loose and messy as it is in the picture since you know he likes a mele fighting.

2. Let him stay bald.

3. Fulgrim. Canonically hes already got the best hairstyle of all of his brothers but i think there must be something that would fit him best and also be a little more practical in a mele sword fight than having loose hair. I sadly havent found a male reference but it doesnt matter. So i would give Fulgrim a neat ponytail with a band probably made out of his own hair. Its practical, it shows how good hes hair is, its beautiful, its everything we need.

4. Perturabo. Hes focused a little too much on a practical side of things so i think if he had hair he would collect it into a bun. Not so neat since he does not really care about hair at all and it gets messy with time cause he just makes it in the morning and does not correct anything about it till the time he goes to sleep again unless the bun collapses. I also think he would have slightly curly hair because well greek. It also charcoal black.

5. Jaghatai Khan. Hes allowed to have messy hair because hes the definition of a mess himself and he messes around and pls stop me. I think his hairstyle is required to be a little more loose than its in canon because i dont think that a person like him would actually care about keeping his hair neat. Although i see him having a little ponytail on the back of his head the hair itself is just to short to be collected in one scrunchy.

6. Leman Russ. It was too easy to find lots of scandinavian kind of hairtyle references so there we have it: shaved sides with long braids going from the top of the head which is sometimes collected in a bun and sometimes not. Hairstyle had quite a meaning in the northen contries so i think hes the unexpected one to actually care about his hair and making his little braids. It must be some sort of a ritural for him.

7. Rogal Dorn. I honestly cannot see him with hair any longer than hes got in canon. Actually I see him as a person who would like it to be even shorter because you know another guy whos focused on practical stuff too much. He does not really care about hairstyle so his head is always neat but with nothing fancy or special. Hes hair looks like hes just gotten out of the army and is trying to grow it up but fails and cuts it short.

BUT i think he cares about his hair condition a lot because its quite hard to have a clear white hair when you are in constant war. Hes got plenty of purple shampoos to get rid of that annoying yellowness in his hair. One of the few of the primarch to actually use conditioner so altough his hair is short its the softes and the silkiest of all.

8. Konrad Curze. This was a difficult one actually. Most of his hairstyle habits disappear the moment he exits the Prime of Emperor after he finished his Fulgrims degree. And when he had any kind of hairstyle at all it was mostly made by Fulgrim himself so Konrad does not look like a junk rat while walking on his flagship.

I can imagine Fulgrim making poor Konrad having the worst and the most difficult hairstyle ever so he does not unbraid it himself or gets too frustrated by the structure before he finishes it. Maybe something that in M2 was popular among brides, all those hairstyle that requires at least two people to make it work on a head. Increadibly neat and shiny and silky though Konrad does not like it at all. Hes head is itchy hes eyes are pulled in two different direction because of how strong the tension on his temples is.

However Konrad does not shave his head bald out of protest. He just endures his fates.

9. Sanguinius. His hair must be so hard to work with because hes got the curliest of all curls so I think it would take a lot of time for him alone to make something of it properly. Thankfully hes got his sons who are all happy to help their dad with his hair and would probably fight each other for a chance to do so because its considered an honour.

He needs something that is strong enough to not fall apart during his flights and also beautiful so I decided it to be a head-circling braid or a few of them. It is held my several hidden hairpins and from outside it looks rather magical than real because of how good its made. His curls although are almost unnoticable.

10. Ferrus Manus. There is not that much to say about his hair outside of it being a total mess all of the time no matter how long or short it is. His hair must be very dry and so straight that it would never touch Fulgrimg stay in any kind of shape and will stick out in all possible directions like hes not a primarch but a hedgehog. If his hair ever grows up more than shoulder lenght it would look spiky.

Also no idea who the character is but his hair fits and also a little beard is something I can see Ferrus having.

11. Cut of his head while shaving it. Deserved.

12. Angron. Ive seen it somewhere as a canon fact but his hair must be red. So hes a redhead! Its cute! Since he was a gladiator there is not so much of things that he might have done with his hair so he would probably just keep it short. It wouldnt get too dirty in fights, practical and not as ugly as a bald head. Simple though not so neat because I think its kinda hard to wash it while being a slave.

Since hes got nails I think he would always have bristle because its hard to shave when you twitch all the time.

13. Roboute Guilliman. I do not know why hes hair is not curly since hes a walking reference to the Roman Empire. Anyway there is not so much to say about him too but I think hes really into accessories. Flower crowns, lauren wreathes, all that kind of stuff. Simple things like little golden leaves as hairpins too.

I also think that in 41M hes wreath hurts him because it has sharp leaves and is spiky in general so hes got little wounds on his temples all the time which sometimes bleed dirtying his hair and making him look even more like a figure of faith.

14. Mortarion. Hes hair is white or rahter colorless and very thin, also its very brittle considering all the toxic stuff hes met on his homeworld and also his casual habit of taking a glass or two of literal moonshine of his own making which is rather a promethium to human body than an actual drink. Since his hair is thin and brittle I think his hairstyle would be very uneven although he would still keep it long rather than shoulder or temple lenght. He lenght is different on every side of his head but somehow he does not look like a mess of a man who cannot take care of his own hair but rather like a fairy moth.

15. Magnus the Red. Hes a literal shapeshifter so he doesnt really care about whether his hair gets cut off or burnt during a fight or not because he can always grow it back in a minute using his warp magic. Although he still would need a hairstyle to attend some official meetings with humans or his brothers so this is it. I have no idea how to call it but with the hair of his it would look so great. It might appear to others like kinda messy but actually it is not and for Prospero where I can see this hairstyle to be quite traditional its very neatly made. Hes also into accessories like Roboute but for him its rather thin chains, strings and necklaces.

16. Horus Lupercal. Somewhere Ive read that hes got canonically red hair too so be it. Hes a redhead. If he wasnt bald he would have a short military hairstyle. Hes hair is straight, thick and healthy in every way though he does not do much to it. Hes got no actual hairstyle but hes very into royal kind of accessories. Crowns. wreathes, tiaras and diadems of all sorts. Nothing too extra like those gigantic russian crowns since he considers himself to be a rather warrior type of king. Its still too much in comparison to his other brothers.

17. Lorgar Aurelian. I think his hair is just like the Emperors because hes always compared to Him in terms of appearance. Brown. straight but not messy, very heavy. If he wasnt bald he would keep it long, much longer than his shoulders, probably to his waist. The hairstyle is simple yet sometimes quite excessive. Little braids with rings and chains of gold braided into them, sometimes with no braids at all and just the accessories put straight onto strands. And there is always a little too much of them than its required. Just as Sanguinius allows his sons to take care of his hair sometimes with braiding and washing it although it mostly Erebus and Kor Phaerons job.

18. Vulkan. Hes getting dreads since it was quite obvoius but its not that simple. I think on Nocturne its very important to keep you hair clean out of all that vulcanic junk that atmosphere is full of and dreads make it much easier to manage. The way it looks, amount of added colours and accessories is the way of showing a status of a person. Since Vulkan is a primarch his dreads would be very colorful and full of small details such as hollow gems, beads, tapes and belts. There must be lots of pieces of dragons` skin too. Its also very practical because a bun of dreads makes it much easier to work in a forge with long hair considering all the sweat and dirt.

19. Corvus Corax. I dont think hes the kind of a person who would put too much effort in his looks but its different with hair. Since hes got very thick hair and its canonically long I think he might grow it even longer and experiment with it a lot. There is a different hairstyle for fight, for meetings with humans, his brothers and his sons, for each and every special occasion. But i think he would prefer ponytails the because its simple, practical and still looks coold with that hair of his.

20. Alpharius and Omegon. Matching hairstyle. I havent found a reference pic for this one that would fit the vibe of the two of them. Its just crazy matching haistyles. Pink waist long dreads? They both got it. Blue quads with a shaved side? They are mirrorying each other. The older they get the more interesting it gets.

[byizoyas]

© byizoyas.

❃ APRILLUC 2023. DAY 04 — horse | royalty au, prince!diluc, f!reader

event masterlist

you ran away from your house today; for the first time ever after your parents announced you the venue of the prince they chose to sell you to.

you weren’t exactly sold, but forced into this arranged marriage for the better, except you never agreed to, so it was pretty much the same thing. no one asked about your opinion about it.

‘you will marry that man y/n. you have to.’ your father said, concluding this conversation you’ve had earlier.

if the idea didn’t enchant him a lot, he knew he didn’t have a choice as to keeping you here or not. but still, it did hurt to think about his little girl moving away. you were still so young, you’d always be too young for him to let you go.

even if you cared about them, even if you would do pretty much anything for them, it hurt you to see how the kingdom’s peace mattered most to your parents. more than you. and how they decided, one day, to force you into this arrangement of theirs.

you had not asked for anything. yet you would marry that man in a few days. that man you were only about to meet.

you went to the stable, calling out your horse’s name. it ran to you, resting its head on your shoulder and you fed the animal, looking at it fondly.

this was one of the rare moments of peace you had once in a while. the birds were still singing; the sun was setting. a very beautiful scenery indeed.

‘you must be y/n’ a gentle voice spoke from behind, making you jump and emit a slight surprised noise.

you giggled when you realized how silly your reaction was.

the man before you was standing still, a hand in the pockets of his white pants and the other holding something behind his back. he was a bit taller, but he didn’t look down on you. his eyes were actually full of softness.

‘and you are ?’

his long red hair seemed fluffy to touch. he had reunited them in a low ponytail.

‘diluc. diluc ragnvindr.’

it was then that you realized, that he was your future husband.

‘diluc.’ you repeated. you had heard his name before but since you weren’t interested in that marriage you didn’t remember about it, and didn’t try making any efforts too anyway.

‘that’s right.’ he added

you looked at each other for a few seconds, a smile painted on both your faces. if you could hear his thoughts, you’d hear a sigh of relief.

you were much more gorgeous than what diluc had imagined. he was afraid that he would have to marry a much younger woman; because most arrangements were made with a prince, and the daughter chosen by her parents. so of course, most parents would abandon their most useless child to leave the house.

as to you, your parents never quite gave you the details and so you thought you’d have to marry an old man.

but seeing how attractive that man was; you started to think this was not the worst thing that could happen to you.

you kept on exchanging courtesies, using your most charming voice to please your visitor. the conversation was surprisingly flowing since you two only knew each other for a few minutes.

he handed out a bouquet of flowers to you. it was your favorites, as if he already knew everything about you, and even though it was only a coincidence, you thought fate did its job pretty well for now.

as you started to get lost in your thoughts, humming the great perfume of the flowers you had in hand; you got interrupted by the man who offered to escort you back to the castle where your parents were discussing their arrangement with his.

he stretched out his hand for you to hold it. pretty hands you thought and soft too after you accepts his subtle request. but as you were about to walk along him; someone came back, separating the two of you in your romantic moment.

[horse name] made itself a place between the two of you. it did embarrass you a bit; diluc was a prince and even though you grew up in a pretty rich family too, it didn’t compare to royal people.

rumor has it that they were capricious and impatient sometimes. and even though it didn’t seem to fit diluc’s, you couldn’t help thinking back of these things you heard and apologized in behalf of the horse.

but diluc only laughed. a beautiful laugh, perhaps not as much as the expression on his face when he did but still great to hear.

‘looks like someone is a little possessive.’ he chuckled, staring at you fondly before caressing the horse that was now standing between you two as if it was a safety barrier, and didn’t intend on going away judging by its posture.

to your surprise, diluc wasn’t one of these brutal men you’ve always been around. those who only see their horses as battle objects. those who wouldn’t hesitate to abandon them if needs be.

the only sight of that man acting so tenderly around the horse that had been your companion for years made you super soft.

could it be that you were starting to fall for a man whose name was the only thing you knew.

[davenswitcher]

Astarion and his long hair

It has been quite some time. Almost a century to be exact. Astarion has been mortal for 70 years now and he had quite some time to adjust to the mortal perks except his hair growth.

Elven hair grows slowly, you must know as you have been mortal all your life and your hair has grown to almost hip length in your 215 years of existence.

Astarion didn't notice his hair growing out until he took longer to style it. He had to adjust his curls just so that they don't poke him in the eye or hinder him in other ways.

One day however you notice he hasn't applied any pomade to his hair and let's his hair flow freely. His curls have become more wavey and don't curl as cutely anymore like it did years ago. It stops shortly below his shoulders. How haven't you noticed before? You complement him on his hair almost daily but how could you not notice its length? Of course it's just as soft and fluffy like his short hair cut but it seems this particular length frames his face perfectly and makes him look more ethereal.

But your husband seems to be more annoyed about this change than you do.

"How do you out up with this, darling?"

"With what?"

"This!" He points to his hair and tries to keep it from falling into his face by tucking it behind his ears.

"Well, I either braid it, use a hair band or put it into a ponytail." You reply.

"Thank you, smartass." he says annoyed.

"Love you too." you try to hold back a giggle at his annoyed retort.

Astarion leaves the room you occupy and goes to the bathroom.

What feels like hours he comes back and tucked his hair into a messy bun with few curls flowing from his pony hair.

"Better?"

"Much. And I could get used to this hairstyle. Maybe."

"Do you want me to cut your hair into your old hairstyle?"

"I'll think about it. Thank you for your offer, though"

He sits down beside you and kisses your cheek.

Had to write down this little brain worm after seeing this and this post.

[tartigglez]

"goodnight, dear"

zhongli x gn!reader

genre: fluff

word count: i forgot to get one then celeste reminded me and i was like "aaaaaaaaaa"

summary: you're exhausted. luckily, only comfort awaits you as you come home.

tags: zhongli is very soft and its adorable yet odd, reader is tired to the point of almost collapsing (uh oh), lot of physical touch/petnames

tw/cw: mentions of fainting, light mention of insomnia but its not really specified idk (lmk if i missed anything)

a/n: i have written too much and the fic hasn't even started yet. anyslays just had a bath just drank tea feeling soft time for writing. also this is lightly based on the lyrics of "goodnight, dear" by youngk bc yes

opening the front door of your home with a click was always a satisfying feeling, but especially today. the sheer amount of work and deadlines on your back at the moment would be enough to send anyone spiralling, so can you really be blamed for the aching in your bones, your dizzy head, or your eyes' constant will to close? there is nothing more on your mind than slipping under the covers of your bed and shutting your eyes until the weariness fades away...

entering the hallway, and shutting the front door behind you, you are immediately greeted by the scent of bamboo shoot soup wafting at you from the kitchen, an immediate giveaway of your lovers presence.

after a moment, you hear a lid being placed on a pot, and footsteps approaching you.

"my love? are you well?"

the soft baritone of zhongli's voice was exactly what you needed to hear right now. he placed a hand upon your cheek, and a gentle kiss on your forehead, before helping you remove your jacket, slowly sliding it off your shoulders. after hanging it on the rack he turned you to face him, and you could not evade the worried look on his face.

"did something happen? are you sick? you must rest now."

"'m fine, li', just-" you paused, trying to think of a word, trying to ignore the fact that the room was spinning, and trying to ignore the fact that your legs feel weak beneath you. "tired, is all".

in announcing this, you felt your legs begin to give out, luckily your beloved archon was there to catch you, wrapping one arm around your waist, picking you up effortlessly and carrying you to your shared room.

he placed you down gently on the bed, which was unbelievably comfortable, especially now, in your state of weakness. the sheets were made by the most skilled textile workers in all of liyue, the nation your lover prided himself on.

"darling, who worked you to this point? is there someone who must be taught a lesson? perhaps a few flying rocks would do the trick?"

you let out a weak laugh at his words

"no, it is mostly my problem for taking such a workload on, please don't worry about me."

"you're lucky i love you, or else i would not hesitate. i am still held under the impression that many problems can be solved by flying rocks"

you smile lightly, and whilst trying to form an adequate response to your lovers attempt at comedy, your train of thought is interrupted by a brief removal of the hair from your eyes, and a gentle kiss pressed to your lips.

"wait here my dear"

placing another gentle peck upon your lips, your beloved leaves the room, presumably in order to ensure his soup hasn't bubbled over the entire kitchen by this point.

he returns, much to your surprise, in his half dragon form. his hair has been removed from its usual ponytail, and now flows down his bare back. the horns on the top of his head glow with gold in the dim light of the sunset coming through the bedroom window, and his tail presents itself in its own glory, gracefully moving behind the ex-archon.

"i figured you may feel more comfortable if i am in this state. may i lay beside you?"

it was hardly the first time you had seen zhongli look like this, but it never ceased to amaze you. for someone who did not care about others perception of him whatsoever, he truly always managed to look ethereal.

you nodded your head to indicate for him to lay down next to you which he did immediately. although he disguised it as wanting you to "feel more comfortable", the true reason that he presented himself in this form was because he felt he would be able to take better care of you like this, to further protect you from any threats of the outside world.

he manoeuvred himself next to you, so that he was facing you as you lay on your side. he pulled you closer to him before rolling onto his back and pulling you onto his chest, so that your head was buried in his neck, breathing in his scent of slightly burnt caramel and vanilla. his strong arms wrapped themselves around your form, as did his tail.

"my dear"

"mm"

"you must promise to never let yourself get to this state again."

"mhm"

"now." he brought his pinky finger to yours and wrapped it around it, which was something he had seen the mortals of liyue do whilst making a promise.

you couldn't help but laugh at his blissful unawareness, and tightened your pinky around his.

"promise"

"good."

you can hear his heart beating, and his light breathing threatens to lull you into a slumber incomparable to any other.

"li'?"

"yes my dear? is everything alright? do you need anything?"

"can i touch your hair?"

this struck the archon as quite the puzzling request. why on earth would you want to touch his hair?

"if you so wish, my lily, just be gentle"

you let out a content smile, moving your hand to make contact with his brown locks, and pressing a light kiss on the side of his neck as a sign of your gratitude.

despite how lovely this was, it felt oddly silent to you.

"li'?"

"hm?"

"will you talk me to sleep? i missed you"

"of course dear. shall i tell you the story of the time streetward rambler brought that absurd gift to cloud retainer? perhaps i have already told that one, hm. what about the time i had xiao run an errand to mondstadt and- ah."

already, you had drifted off into a slumber, courtesy of the age old words of your beloved.

he wrapped his tail around you ever so slightly tighter than before, pressed a kiss to the crown of your head and sighed in content at the sight of his exhausted partner getting some sleep at last.

"goodnight, dear"

[sunny6677]

Cicadas: When October Sings. - BOOK 1

Summary:

Mysterious events begin to occur in a small suburban town Kevin lives in.

Chapter 3: A Summers Drive.

————

...a day had passed. The sky outside was a bright blue. The air was a gentle, but still overwhelming warmth that enveloped me the moment I had stepped outside. I had thrown on my pink shirt that I usually wore anytime outside. And because of how long my hair was kinda getting, I decided I'd put it into a low ponytail to look nicer, and.. well, at least good considering how messy it was.

The scent of grass was in the air as always—and the Arizona summer that practically wrapped itself around me made me feel like I was beginning to melt into sweat. I momentarily lifted my head. But the moment I did, I slightly blinked, and wiped my forehead upon seeing what I already knew was gonna be there.

A vehicle sat on the road. And faintly, drawn into a silhouette with the dark shade of the windows, I could see Streber waving at me from the front seat—with Ethan giving a little wave from beside him on the passengers seat.

I just stared, and then let out a sigh from my mouth. Stepping onto the path that led to the doorstep, I began to practically stomp down it toward the vehicle that stood there with the familiar ambience of its rumbling I had grown used to. And once I got close enough, I stepped to the lower part of the car with the doors that led into the back.

I heard the door give a click, an abrupt shiver running through the car. And once I heard it, I lifted my hand toward the handle—grabbing onto it. The car door came open with a forceful pull, and immediately, I felt the warm air from within the car practically drown me.

Shaking my head, I grumbled—stepping onto the floor of the vehicle, and forcing myself into the back.

"Heheh.. heyyyy, Kevin." I heard Ethan smile. I squinted up at him, shuffling a little on the seat I had just gotten onto, which was the right part of the back seats row.

My eyes slightly wondered over him. In comparison to his usual outfit, he was wearing a bright pastel red short-sleeved shirt, with black fingerless gloves worn over his slender hands, a black spiked choker worn around his thin neck. I guess he was just wearing it since we were going out today and wanted to look nice. And.. well, he did.

I grunted in response, "..hey."

"You're up earlier than I thought you'd be."

"..yeah. I am." I yawned, lifting my arm toward the door of the vehicle, and pulling on the lock as it came shut with a slam.

"Heh.. did you set an alarm?"

"Mmh.. no. I just kinda woke up a little earlier than I normally do." I grumbled. I felt something begin to flow into my nostrils. Something that smelt.. warm, and.. good? I squinted in confusion at the scent, glancing around in wherever it was coming from. Even though it was pretty obvious what it was coming from.

"..so—" Chuckled Ethan, "You ready for the picnic?"

"..the what?"

"Y'know—the picnic." Ethan smiled. "Like we were talking about last night. Me and Streber told you all the plans for it."

..oh. That was right.

When I returned home last night, I received a text from Ethan a few hours in explaining that we'd be going on a drive around town instead of out for a walk—since it'd be less of a pain to get to wherever we were going apparently. I couldn't remember what the place was called, but it had a pretty long road leading straight to it.

"Oh." I uttered. "..yeah."

I tilted my head slightly as I fumbled around my seat for the buckle. The same buttons for the front of the vehicle were present, along with some random plastic drink one of them must have purchased from a fast food place. Right in Ethans lap though, I only finally noticed what looked like a gigantic picnic basket inside of a small box that was sitting on him. Along with a few other items I couldn't really make out.

I felt the vehicle stiffen, signaling that Streber was most likely about to start driving again. So—snapping out of it once I felt the buckle finally in my hands, I forced it into the lock that was sitting right beside me.

As the buckle enveloped my torso, I inquired, "Wait—how much food did you put in there?"

I heard Streber hum in confusion. "..uhhh.. not really that much. Just about 3 sandwiches for us, and some condiments, and.. eh, it's not really that important. You'll see when you get there." He shrugged.

..three, huh? I could only imagine whatever else might have been in there considering the amount of food he usually made.

"Uh.. alright." I shrugged back in return, slowly turning my head in the direction of the window on the other side of me. The vehicle was moving now, going at a slow pace as it passed by several houses. The oddly peaceful but exhausting nature of the day made me slowly vanish back into my thoughts.

..I was doing it. I was willingly hanging out with them instead of making excuses as to why I couldn't go.

—————

"...mm."

The drive went on without any interruption, the sky still filled with a bright blue as we passed by several houses. Several buildings. Several people. And as we did, I sort of zoned out to the sound of Ethan and Streber happily chatting with one another. The air inside the car was slightly cooler now. Still, I.. felt kind of overwhelmed. The sun's light was shining so bright on everything outside that it felt like I was being blinded just by even looking at the grass, or anything else.

I squinted as we passed by a window, grumbling to myself a bit. Everything outside looked the same as it always did. Same houses. Same buildings. Same hospital. Same.. movie theater. Children were playing with eachother visibly or just walking alongside their parents, while some people (whether elderly or of a young adult age) were just going about their own business.

I heard Streber let out a laugh as we made a turn. On the sidewalk, I saw a child. An elderly man. A.. odd looking woman with curly brown hair that cascaded to her back—with a tight reddish-brown dress worn around her body. Something about her seemed kinda familiar.

Then again—I had lived in this town for a while. Maybe I had seen her. I got a lot of customers at the candy store anyway.

"Hey," I heard Ethans voice speak, "You alright back there?"

"..uh.. yeah." I replied quietly. "I'm okay. Why?"

"Nothin'. You just seemed kinda zoned out there. Heh.. oh—hey, I know that dude!"

Ethan pointed to his left where his window had been. I couldn't see whoever he was pointing to considering I was in the back. I saw Streber slightly turn his head in the direction he was pointing, and exclaim a bit.. excitedly.

"Oh—yeah! He's that chefs nephew or something, isn't he? Y'know—from that pizza restaurant?"

"Yeah, yeah. Heh.."

Ethan waved slightly. We turned a corner. I only saw a glimpse of the dude in question for a moment, but he had black hair, and I saw him give a little wave. He seemed kinda familiar to me. I couldn't really remember where I had seen him though. In response to Ethans wave, I saw the dude just smile and wave back before we turned completely and continued driving onward.

"..ahah.. oh—there's that nurses kid!" Streber chuckled, looking to the direction of his window.

"She—oh, heh.. look. She's got that little dog she got last week with her." Ethan pointed out, smiling softly in the direction of the little girl. I looked outside of my window. Surely enough, there was a little blonde girl carrying a leash, with a small chihuahua following behind her in little steps.

I lifted my head up. I had lived here for a while and saw a lot of faces due to working here. I didn't really know any little details though.

"..how do you know that?" I found myself blurting out.

"Know what?" Ethan asked.

"Y'know.. about her—having a dog?"

"Oh. Heh.. we kinda heard about it from someone else around here. Lots of people have been moving out lately, so there's just kinda been a lot more info goin' around." Shrugged Ethan with a little smirk on his lips. "You'll—heh.. you'll have to be careful about who you talk to."

"..why?"

"Cuz you might end up saying something you didn't want everyone else in town to know." Snickered Streber. "Does people knowing stuff like what your favorite color is or where you went to eat last week sound that alright to you?"

The thought of that sent a slight chill down my back for some reason, and I shook my head. "No? Of course not."

"Well.. alright." Streber giggled, "Then don't share too much stuff."

"Yeah. You might end up telling us something. And one of us might decide to tell someone else about it." Ethan grinned mischeviously.

"Wh—hey!" I frowned.

"Ethan.." Streber furrowed his brows.

"Kidding, kidding." Smirked Ethan. "Just saying though. We kinda know a lot more about you than you think we do."

"..oh, really?" I dryly said, "Like what?"

Ethan went quiet, his soft smirk growing ever so slightly on his face. "...wellllll..."

...

"..and that you like to relax after you get home from work. We know you live by yourself. You usually order heatable foods or just make yourself cereal. And you absolutely hate your job."

My mouth was agape by the time he had finished speaking. I didn't know where we were now, but he had rambled for so long it felt like minutes had passed.

"Wh—wh.." I stammered, my eyes slowly widening. "How—how do you know that much about me?!"

Ethan gazed at me in the corner of his eye, smiling at me rather oddly as if he wasn't sure why I was freaking out. "'Cuz we've known you for a pretty long time already. Why wouldn't we know?"

"Yeah, Kev." Chuckled Streber in a slightly loud manner, "You aren't really that great about keeping stuff from us."

"Wh—you.. ugh.. still!" I frowned, "I don't even know how—how'd you know I used to work at the pool here?! I didn't tell anyone that besides—"

..I faltered. As we slowed, I noticed an elderly man glance in the direction of our car. He gave a simple grin, waving politely. I assumed he must have been waving at Ethan or Streber, but they didn't wave back. He opened his eyes. As we passed, it kinda became clear.

He was looking at me.

"..why was he waving at me? Who—who is that?" I asked.

"Oh—that's just Mr Wonder. He lives around here." Gently said Ethan, "He probably knows about you cuz of one of his grandkids. You remember being visited by anyone with that last name?"

"Uh.. well, no. I don't really ever ask for the names of my customers." I answered awkwardly.

"..mmm. Well, there's a good chance he knows you cuz of that. Don't worry about it." Ethan grinned. "It's not like anyone here's stalking you. If they were, they'd probably already be dealt with by now."

"..."

We made a turn on the road just then, and up ahead was a long narrow road that led straight up a large green hill. I heard Streber speak with a large grin.

"Oh, hey—looks like we're here!"

[lycorisx]

You guys eat up my notes/lore on my drafts for StigMA. So here’s a few bits of info for you on Romasanta and Ophelia, Akira’s parents. (My favourite omg) I’ve also included a snippet of how they met..

————————————

Romasanta, the formidable vampire king, stands tall and imposing with a muscular build, his presence radiating power and authority. His long, dark hair cascades down his back, often tied in a loose ponytail, and his piercing crimson eyes hold an intensity that can unsettle even the bravest of souls. His sharp features and strong jawline give him an air of severity, and he is usually seen clad in dark, regal attire that reflects his status and strength. Gruff, serious, and war-headed, Romasanta is a natural-born leader who commands respect and fear from his subjects. He is fiercely protective of his kingdom and family, often prioritizing their safety above all else. His exterior is tough and unyielding, but beneath the stern facade lies a heart that is capable of profound love and loyalty.

Ophelia, in stark contrast to her husband, exudes an ethereal beauty that captivates all who meet her. With her flowing, golden hair that seems to shimmer in the light and her kind, doe-like eyes, she embodies grace and warmth. Her delicate features and gentle smile reflect her compassionate nature, and she often wears simple, elegant gowns that enhance her natural allure without ostentation. Kind, polite, and endlessly patient, Ophelia is the embodiment of serenity. Her gentle demeanor and innate goodness make her beloved by all, and her ability to see the best in people is both her strength and her charm. She is the calm to Romasanta’s storm, balancing his fierceness with her own brand of quiet courage and unwavering kindness.

—————————

How they met:

The grand soirée was in full swing, the palace alive with laughter and music. Nobles and dignitaries from across the realm mingled, unaware that Ophelia, driven by an insatiable curiosity, had slipped away from the festivities. She found herself in the palace library, a place she had longed to explore.

Entering the vast room, Ophelia was immediately struck by the sheer disarray. Books were scattered across tables and floors, ancient scrolls lay in heaps, and dust coated everything. She couldn’t help but frown at the state of neglect.

“How can such a magnificent collection be in such a mess?” she muttered to herself, rolling up her sleeves.

Without hesitation, she began organizing the books, her movements quick and efficient. Lost in her task, she didn’t hear the heavy footsteps approaching until it was too late.

Romasanta, who had noticed the absence of a guest and guessed her whereabouts, entered the library with a scowl. “Who dares to trespass in my private sanctum?”

Ophelia looked up, startled but unafraid. “Your private sanctum? It’s a disaster in here!”

Romasanta’s initial anger gave way to shock at her audacity. “How dare you—”

“I dare because someone must!” Ophelia interrupted, hands on her hips. “This library is a treasure trove of knowledge, and you’ve let it fall into ruin. Have you no respect for these books?”

Romasanta’s eyes narrowed, but he found himself oddly captivated by her fiery spirit. No one had ever spoken to him in such a manner. Her passion and dedication to order contrasted sharply with his chaotic approach to his personal space.

“Perhaps I have been… neglectful,” he admitted grudgingly, his tone softening.

Ophelia’s expression softened as well. “Then let me help. Together, we can restore this place to its former glory.”

Romasanta was struck by her beauty and kindness, seeing in her a strength that complemented his own. It was in that moment, amidst the clutter and dust of the library, that he realized he had met his match.

[marydontweep]

Mystery of Love

word count: 1,754

tw: implied infidelity

pairing: black male!oc x white male!oc

December, 1976

New York's weather seldom offers mercy.

The harsh, icy winter wind whips at the areas of exposed flesh on Emmett's body. His nose is beginning to take on a red hue, and a stinging numbness takes over his ears. He curses himself for being so ill prepared for the cold temperature. Nevertheless, Emmett stands his ground against the cruel climate. He won't give Mother Nature the satisfaction of stealing this long awaited moment away from him.

For months, loneliness had pierced his heavy heart. Phone calls, letters, and late night fantasies weren't enough to satiate Emmett's growing need. He just had to lay his eyes upon the object of his affection. Emmett wanted─no, needed to lose himself in his lover's rich brown irises. He longed for the all too familiar scent of baby oil and Vaseline that he was now accustomed to. He craved the feeling of soft yet aggressive lips moving in synchronicity with his own. Oh, how Emmett wants to thread his fingers through those silky ebony curls as the words I love you fell carelessly from his tongue.

But he must play it safe.

Their relationship, or whatever you'd call it, is a blooming rose. Though the physical aspect had been explored, the emotional aspect is fresh territory. Emmett would feel dreadfully silly making a declaration of his undying love just to be met with rejection. A fleeting moment alone with his lover in the shadows of uncertainty is better than nothing at all.

"I ain't been here since I was a little boy." Alexandre speaks, slicing through the silence with swift abruptness.

Emmett, languidly swinging himself back and forth on the swing set, looks at the younger man. The silvery light of the moon beams brilliantly upon Alexandre's honey glazed skin, casting a divine glow while his dark colored eyes twinkle beneath its luminance. Instead of pulling it into a ponytail, Alexandre lets his voluminous sea of black waves flow freely down his back. Since day one Emmett had found Alexandre's outward appearance very appealing, but tonight the young man is a sculptor's reverie.

Shifting awkwardly, Alexandre continues to talk. "Me and my brothers used to play here every day after school. Sometimes we'd lose track of time, and our momma would come looking for us. Man, we sure were a wild bunch!" He states gleefully, chuckling as he recalls the memory.

Alexandre's sudden urge to share tidbits of his childhood delights and surprises Emmett. Aside from his Afro-French parentage and New York upbringing, Emmett knows next to nothing about Alexandre's life, if he’s being frank. He is an enigma. A mystery waiting to be solved. To be honest, Alexandre's private nature reminds Emmett of himself. He too prefers to keep most parts of his life concealed. It was this commonality that piqued his interest in Alexandre.

Alas, Emmett can't resist the surge of curiosity brewing within him. He wants to peer into the very depths of Alexandre's mind, uncovering every moment of his life.

"How many brothers do you have?" Emmett blurts out. Immediately, trepidation settles into his bones. He really didn't mean to ask that question, but like vomit the words had come rushing out of his mouth.

"Well, you met Charlie already," Alexandre begins, absentmindedly tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. "And I got another brother. Plus, a sister. So, that's two brothers and one sister."

What are their names? Are they younger or older?

"What about you?" Alexandre questions. "Do you have any siblings?"

Emmett nods. "I have a younger sister."

A toothy smile forms on Alexandre's face. His teeth are pearly white and unbelievably straight. "That's one more thing we have in common."

"Yeah," Emmett fights back his own smile. "I─I guess it is."

Silence dawns upon them again. It isn't an uncomfortable silence either. The silence is quite peaceful. During the moment of tranquility, Emmett sneaks glances in Alexandre's direction. With his chin resting in his palm and his eyebrows furrowed, the young man appears to be deep in thought. Emmett wonders what is going on inside that pretty little head of his. The need to gain insight into the innerworkings of Alexandre's brain is almost overwhelming. Emmett, however, swallows the questions that threaten to spill from his lips.

In due time...

Without warning, Alexandre stands up from the swing. He walks towards Emmett, stopping to stand in front of him. Two long, slender fingers are propped under Emmett's chin, gently guiding his head upwards. Emmett shivers at the sensation of cold fingers against his skin. Alexandre's eyes bore into Emmett's with the intensity of a wildlife, burning through to his very core. Emmett's heart pounds savagely against his ribcage, and his hands become damp with perspiration. He can feel the butterflies violently fluttering around in his stomach. The power Alexandre holds over him─over his emotions is immense.

Emmett opens his mouth to say something─anything, but he struggles to formulate a coherent sentence. So, he utters not a single word. Emmett remains quiet as a mouse while Alexandre's fingers trace the line of his jaw. His touch is gentle. Careful. As if he is outlining the edges of a precious, invaluable drawing. Emmett's heart swells at the mere idea of being compared to a work of art.

Alexandre's other hand takes a hold of Emmett's hand, squeezing lightly. The younger man's hand is ice cold, but Emmett doesn't mind. He savors the pure intimacy of Alexandre's touch.

"Come on," Alexandre beckons, pulling Emmett off the swing. "I wanna show you something."

Emmett follows Alexandre to his car, getting into the passenger's side as Alexandre gets behind the wheel. The drive is relatively short─approximately four minutes, if Emmett had to guess. Therefore, Emmett doesn't have much of a chance to see most of the surrounding neighborhood through the window. He makes a mental note to ask Alexandre for a tour of Harlem the next time he is in New York.

Alexandre parks the car in a lot near a rundown apartment building. Emmett throws him a confused glance.

"Um, what am I supposed to be looking at, darling?" He asks, his tone light-hearted yet he wonders why the fuck they are there.

In response to Emmett's confusion, Alexandre laughs. He laughs like Emmett had just told the funniest joke in the world.

"The thing I wanna show you is inside the building, baby." Alexandre explains after regaining his composure.

An inaudible 'oh' comes from Emmett.

Great. Now he probably thinks I'm a ninny!

They exit the vehicle with Alexandre leading the way. Upon closer inspection, the building doesn't look as tattered and ugly. It still isn't pleasing to the eye, but it certainly looks better. The inside of the building isn't too bad either. Though Emmett is upset to discover that the lift (or, as Alexandre had referred to it, the elevator) isn't in service. Walking up three flights of stairs is not something that Emmet enjoyed. Nevertheless, he braves through it.

"Here it is! Apartment 306." Alexandre exclaims. He takes out a key from his coat pocket, hurriedly unlocking the wooden door. When Alexandre enters the apartment, Emmett is close behind him.

Alexandre turns on the lights, revealing a seemingly untouched living room. Plastic covers the furniture, the glass coffee table practically sparkles in the light, and not even a hair follicle resides on the cream colored carpet. In other words, there are no signs of anyone having lived here.

Placing his coat on the coat rack, Alexandre is brimming with excitement. "This is the apartment I grew up in," he moves to stand behind Emmett, his tall, skinny build towering over the older man. "I got it fixed up two weeks ago. Now, I don't really be here all that much, but I didn't want somebody else renting my childhood home."

"It's a lovely place," is all that Emmett can manage to say. Truthfully speaking, he is struggling to contain his exhilaration. Emmett feels like Alexandre is beginning to shed his walls, leaving his heart vulnerable to Emmett's deep affection.

“Thanks,” Alexandre replies, striding over to a tall, black shelf filled with vinyl records.

Alexandre begins rummaging through the ample collection of records. He is indecisive, taking out a record then putting it back not a minute later. Finally, something catches his eye─or at least Emmett hopes so. Alexandre turns towards Emmett with the record in hand. It's The Beatles' “And I Love Her” 1964 single.

Emmett can't bite back the grin that spreads across his face. "But I thought you hated The Beatles."

Alexandre sucks his teeth. "Hate is a strong word, Emmett," he says as he places the record on the record player. "They're talented musicians, but I just don't think they all that." Alexandre puts the needle on the record.

Emmett shrugs. "To each his own."

"I saw the single in the record store yesterday," Alexandre begins, talking in a hushed tone while Paul McCartney's dulcet, euphonious voice drifts throughout the room. He is now standing face to face with Emmett. "And I remembered how you loved The Beatles, so I brought it. It turned out to be a nice little tune, if I'm being for real." He lets out a short, awkward chuckle. There's an underlying timidity in Alexandre's entire demeanor. He seems uncomfortable as the words leave his mouth.

"Oh, well, that's very sweet of you, Alex." Emmett says, feeling the heat rising in his cheeks.

The younger man doesn't respond, but the glint in his eyes speaks volumes.

A love like ours could never die...

Alexandre steps closer, bridging the gap between them. He holds out his hand for Emmett to take. Emmett takes it without hesitation, allowing himself to be engulfed in a gentle embrace. He rests his head on Alexandre's chest. The thumping of his heart is strong─comforting even.

Dark is the sky...

As they slowly move to the melody, Emmett feels a shift in them both. The doubt that tore away at him from the very beginning is dissipating. Emmett can see, clear as day, the beautiful and vibrant scarlet petals of that rose blossoming beneath the radiant glow of their union.

I know this love of mine will never die...

Emmett has never felt this way before. Sure, he cares for his fiancée Claire, but the emotions Alexandre awakens within him are completely different. It feels right. He knows it's right. Anything this wonderful could never be wrong.

And I love her.

Love could never be wrong.

[hes-a-rat-whisperer]

Hey, ITS ALMOST SINDAY what is a fantasy of Alistair, Guinness, Gosgo, AND the twins starring their love interests?(PLS I BEG I MUST KNOW)

Alistair: Alistair rarely has ´inappropriate thoughts´, however, one thought that would come to his mind every now and then, was Ceb- wearing nothing but one of his black shirts, which was clearly to big for him and conveniently fully covered his nether reagions. the brunette had flowers in his hair as he was innocently sitting on their shared bed, beckoning the brit with a finger while licking his lips.

what would happen next was always different, sometimes Alistair would walk over to him and kiss him, sometimes Ceb would lie back and slip out of the big shirt, showing off his slender frame to his husband- but no matter what, the older man´s face was always a very deep shade of red when thinking about this scenario..

Guinness: the most risque thought Guinness ever had starring the pretty wendigo centered around him loosening his ponytail and letting his silky hair cascade down his shoulders before pinning the shorter redhead to a wall and running his fingers tthrough his beard. this gorgeous emerald eye of his looking deeply into his own and by that point, the fantasy would usually drift off towards a long, passionate kiss and a lot of subtle little touches all over..

Gosgo: Gosgo´s reoccuring fantasy was a whole lot more risque-

the blonde would think of Felly, sitting on their shared bed with Gosgo lying in his lap. the taller man had one of his hands on the blonde´s tummy while his other was resting on his cheek. "has my little pup been good~?" he would ask, which makes Gosgo shiver. "mmh~ what if I haven´t been~?" he´d ask in return. "well, I would have to punish you then, right~?" Gosgo smiles, already turning around in Fel´s lap "oh you should~ I have been such a baaaad boy~" he teased. Felonious would give his rear a squeeze, before sliding down his pants and without another word, he´d give him a hard slap..

by that point, Gosgo would most likely already bite his lip with a little smile on his red face.

the twins: Cornelius and Cornelia have plenty of fun fantasy starring each other, but once the pretty siren got involved into their love life, those fantasies got a whole lot more experimental, with them whispering their ideas to each other, before putting them together and eventually telling their siren about it..

one of those combined ideas was..

Cornelia in the middle of a beautiful, secluded meadow, surrounded by trees. she´s naked, the few rays of sunshine that the dense trees far above were letting through shining on her beautiful body. her hair was open, flowing down her shoulders in pretty waves. Cornelius, who was wearing a lot more than her, was pulling Ceb along, leading him to the meadow. Cornelia was batting her eyes at the two and cornelius began to undress himself as well before taking a seat next to his sister as Ceb was observing the two, red faced. in their fantasy, it was of utmost iimportance that they didn´t tell the brunette a thing! they left him completely in the dark about their scandalous little plan! the two were now beckoning Ceb over, patiently waiting for him to join and once he did, they would help him ease himself out of his own clothes. his beautiful, tan frame, they would then cover in flowers before they took turns kissing him deeply on the lips..

by that point, the two would giggle at their fantasy, excited and lovestruck and their fantasy would get more and more steamy from then on

[bishtheiress-kb]

Coffee

Chapter 1

Words: 500+

Original, do not steal ♥️

A beverage so beautiful, it's like an otherworldly elixir. To some it may be a strong dram from beans, a divine nectar so refreshing, pleasing and soul-healing to others.

Coffee. ☕

A hot drink made from the roasted and ground seeds (coffee beans) of a tropical shrub.

(First person pov)

My favourite thing about mornings like these. Hectic, bustling, lively even; Monday mornings. I had fallen in love with coffee ever since I had it for the first time. And ever since I found out one could make a living out of drinking, sharing and making coffee.... I knew I had found my purpose in life.

(Third person pov)

*Clink*

The shopkeeper's doorbell chimed. And in walked a brunette with flowing long wavy hair tied up in a loose, sleek ponytail. It was misty outside, the air of dawn time was cold and bleak, especially since it was the beginning of a new week, a new day.

Keeping her bags on the chair behind the counter, she proceeds to tighten her ponytail. Stretching and popping her knuckles, she sighs. It's gonna be a long morning. The best part of her day, is coffee. Her mornings started with with a strong one. Soon, it found its way into her routine, and to say the least, it had become a habit, a healthy addiction.

Turning on and scrolling through her phone, she brewed herself a cup of fresh coffee. The aroma of the beverage fills the room as the clock strikes six. It was time for work. The brunette flipped the craftsman's door sign.

Open.

Her ocean eyes scan outside the window panes, looking for possible customers. She has a pair of pretty blue eyes which shine with hope, love and contentment. They're bright, like a diamond ever so refractive, in a cave full of coal, dark and dull.

Blinking as she glances at the clock once again, going back inside to prepare for the day. She has great focus on what she does. Eyes so attentive and hands so skillful. It's like she has been doing this for years, her impressive actions amaze crowds. She must be a professional in her trade, a master dare I say.

*Chime*

In came the first patron of the day and she became busy attending to more as they arrived; sleepy, tired and restless all for one thing. Coffee. Her shop is not that popular, being built in a corner of the town. Nevertheless, more and more people come in. Usually regulars who trust her proficiency so much, they are willing to let her brew the first step of their day.

Laden with artificial flowers, with a vintage, academia vibe, the beautiful shop of hers is homey, comfortable and welcoming.Inside is a counter, tables and a mini library, woven chairs for outdoor seating and a dreamcatcher. Above all, a signboard, with a beautiful font.

It read, Sunrise Brews ✨

Followed by a name, the talented barista and owner of this humble establishment, of course.

Brooke.

[andrealeocoutures-blog]

How the Right Hair Complements Prom Dresses

Everyone knows the right gown can make or break a prom look—but finding the perfect dress isn’t the end of the journey. Clients often struggle to match their hairstyles to the gown’s style, leaving them feeling like something’s missing. This post will walk through five iconic prom dress styles—from mermaid gowns to tiered ruffles—and show how the right hairdo can take each look to the next level. Boutique owners, get ready to help your clients feel like they’ve got the whole package.

1. Mermaid Gowns with Feather Lace Trains

Mermaid gowns are no strangers to the world of formal dresses. Their signature silhouette, hugging every curve and flaring out dramatically at the knee, creates an unforgettable impression.

When styling these gowns, the hair needs to match the gown's elegant energy. Sleek, voluminous waves or a polished updo let the details of the feather lace train take center stage. Boutique owners, let your customers know: the right hairstyle enhances the gown’s charm, ensuring they look radiant from head to toe.

2. Tulle Ball Gowns

Known for its full skirt and delicate layers of tulle, these dresses offers that classic Cinderella vibe, making it a favorite among prom dresses. The ethereal nature of the tulle creates movement and volume that feels straight out of a dream.

For such a regal gown, hair that channels soft romance is a must. A loose, low chignon or cascading curls enhance the gown’s flow, balancing the dress’s grandeur with a touch of effortless elegance.

3. Tiered Ruffle Gowns

A tiered ruffle gown is all about texture and volume. Every step sends a confident message, thanks to a silhouette that's elevated by layer upon layer of indulgent style. Two essential qualities of a great prom gown? Freedom of movement and undeniable elegance – these dresses deliver on both.

When styling this gown, a chic high ponytail or an intricate braided crown works wonders. The hairstyle should lift and elongate the neck, ensuring the focus remains on the dress’s layers while keeping the overall look fresh and youthful.

4. Strapless Fitted Gowns

Nothing says modern sophistication like a strapless fitted gown. It's sleek, it's timeless, and it accentuates the wearer’s natural shape beautifully. For the fashionista who knows that true style lies in subtlety, this gown is a veritable treasure – the crowning glory of any formal dress collection.

For a strapless silhouette, showcasing the neckline is essential, and the hairstyle plays a big role. Soft waves tucked behind the ears or an elegant bun ensure the collarbones and shoulders are fully on display.

5. High-Low Tiered Ruffle Gowns

The high-low gown is the ultimate fusion of fun and elegance. We love how this sophisticated gown plays high-low dress game - a demure front meets a trendy, wispy back, beckoning fashion-risk takers to put it on. As you take a step, the ruffle tier effect creates fabulous flowing movement and an extra dose of dramatic charm.

When styling a high-low gown, it’s all about balance. A half-up, half-down style or a textured bun brings both structure and softness, making the high-low silhouette stand out even more.

Become an Andrea & Leo Retailer Today

As boutique owners, you understand that finding the right prom dresses is only half the equation—helping your clients complete the look with the perfect hairstyle makes all the difference. Whether it's a mermaid gown with a feather lace train or a playful high-low tiered ruffle gown, pairing the right hairstyle elevates the entire outfit. Stocking these iconic looks will ensure your boutique remains the go-to destination for wholesale gowns

Ready to elevate your boutique’s offering? Explore Andrea & Leo’s collection and bring the best of wholesale gowns, prom dresses, and formal dresses to your clientele.

For more information about Prom Dresses Wholesale and Formal Dresses Wholesale please visit:- Andrea & Leo Couture

[theweeniesupreme]

More bakery questions. Thanks in advance for answering these. Could the owner or an employee make something at home, and sell it at said bakery? Would it need to have the “prepared in a home kitchen” label?

Is it possible for a bakery owner to be hands on with their employees almost everyday? Or would they be busy doing other things?

If there’s no uniforms, what’s the general dress code bakeries follow? Aside from non-slip shoes.

So, I don't know where in the world you are located, but in the untied stated there is this thing called "Cottage Food Laws" which allows people to sell certain foods they make at home to the public!

Its super cool but it varies from state to state. Some states you'll need to register with the state's Department Of Agriculture, and some states you'll need a special license. but there is a general consensus between all states of basic rules you'll need to follow:

A Label With the name and address of your "business" (because the state identifies this as a business) or registration number

Any and all possible allergens (usually safe to just have a list of ingredients used)

and a disclaimer label that says "These products are homemade and are not subject to state inspection"

There is a nice list you can look up of what is considered Cottage Food but its all things that do not need to be temperature controlled. Baked goods (that do not contain any custards, creams, or egg like a quiche), canned goods like jams, jellies pickled items etc.). The list can be found online.

In some states you can sell your products through a local retail business like a grocery store or bakery, but in others it needs to be through direct sale to the customer either from a bake sale, farmers market, from your home directly, online, or online (at my last job we hosted art pop-ups for local artists and small businesses and we had a few that sold baked or canned goods).

So, going off of these general rules, if a bakery owner wanted to sell their own, or let an employee sell in their store, it would be good to go.

The owner can be as hands on as they see fit. At that point, especially if they're the one coming up with the recipes and menu, they're the head chef unless they've hired someone to take on that roll. There are a lot of things to do in that roll. Ordering produce and other supplies as needed (usually done weekly or every few days), taking inventory of stock, menu pricing, P&L statements, marketing and advertising, overseeing bank statements, making sure all bills are paid, and a bunch more. All depends on how much help for these things the owner has, but they wouldn't assign some of these to just any regular employee.

As far as uniform policy goes, if there isn't a strict dress code, they would still have to be in compliance with OSHA to minimize workplace injury. Tshirt, Pants, apron, Non-slip shoes or boots. Nothing too loose or flowing that could be caught on equipment or caught on fire. Hat, Hairnet, or longer hair that is tied back securely.

An example from my own uniform policy: Plain black tshirt or any tshirt with the company logo (any color). Plain black utility pants, leggings or dark wash denim jeans that are not distressed and free from holes. Plain black apron (which was provided by company). Black or brown non slip shoes or boots. Skull cap, Baseball hat, or hair net. Longer hair must be pulled back into a secure bun or ponytail. Braided or pleated hair is acceptable as long as it can be secured back or in a hat. No decorative clips, pins, or other hair fixtures that could come loose and contaminate the food. (I've worked at a place early on in my career where a gal had worn one bubby pin that had rhinestones on it and one of them fell into the food that was then delivered to the customer).

And then all that uniform policy goes further into appropriate jewelry, general hygiene, fingernail length how they're needed to be kept when working with food.

Again, I hope all of this helps and please feel free to ask any other questions you might have!! (Sorry about the length of this..It kinda ran away from me lol I could have yapped even more about some of this stuff tbh lol)

[starwarsoc-journeyacrossthestars]

Bandits

So its been a while huh, I have a lot of writing, but a lot of it is not complete. And this is something that I have complete.... more or less. But I also want to get art made for these stories as well so yeah. But anyway hope yall enjoy

A figure stood in front of the speeder, he stood in a green cloak that wrapped tightly around his waist, and his hair was long and tied in a ponytail with two strands of hair hanging over his forehead. His most noticeable feature was his left leg which was replaced with metal, looking almost like a droid. The three men sprung up, one getting out and aiming his blaster pistol at the man, another kneeling on the speeder with a blaster rifle ready, and the last one standing in front with his hand hovering over his holstered weapon.

He opened his mouth “You must have some sort of death wish friend. Do you have any idea who we are?” 

The wind howled, flowing through the man’s hair gently as they both stood staring.

“These lands are not yours. Return what you have stolen and we’ll let you walk.” He said with a strong authoritarian voice.

The three thieves laughed “Normally I’d say we outnumber you 3 to 1, but…” the one in the lead said as four members revealed themselves from the left side of the rocky mountain, and another four from the right. Then the man sensed that there was someone on the ridge above him, aiming a sniper at his back.

“It's a little more than that.”

He looked back and forth, assessing his surroundings, not showing any fear from his predicament.

“And even a Jedi isn't impossible to kill.” 

The man locked eyes with the one in the lead.

“I see that weapon on your hip.” he looked at the man’s lightsaber “What happened? Couldn't find any more of your kind?” The man in the lead continued to taunt him with a cocky smile, but that feeling was lost when he saw the man return the smile, he looked as though he had something planned. The man shifted to the left and suddenly the body of the sniper on the ridge dropped to the ground with a loud thud, lifeless, with a large glowing slash across his torso. 

All the thieves panicked and looked up to see another silhouette standing on the ridge where the sniper was positioned. It dropped down, and elegantly landed next to the Man revealing herself, a female Mirialan with short chestnut-colored hair, wearing Blue pants and a blue leather jacket, with a brown scarf around her neck. She stood up straight and they were able to see her most prominent feature, other than her beauty. Her metal eye glowed red in the center covering a large scar that ran from her eye to her cheek. Everyone was taken aback as the two of them stood together, the girl had two lightsabers in her hand staring deathly into the thieves, and the man had one in his hand, doing the same.

“Nice entrance.” He said to her telepathically

“Gee thanks, who said you were the one that got us into trouble?” She responded with a brow raised at him.

“What? are you saying you disapprove?”

“Are you kidding? I'm all in for this.”

The two of them unleashed their lightsabers and stood back to back with each other in fighting stances.

The Thief in the lead growled and yelled out “I’ll take your other leg you bastard!” as he took out his blaster and shot. The other thieves shot as well as the two Warriors in the center dipped and weaved. Their weapons were a blue and green blur as they deflected bolts away, hitting the canyon, the speeder, and even the body of the sniper on the ground. The thieves were boneheads, but not completely dumb, they were staying in cover to make sure non of the blaster bolts wouldn't strike back at them, as well as keeping a good distance from the duo.

“They're too far away, we need to close the gap,” Adison said as she continued blocking incoming blaster fire.

“We need to take down the ones on the edges first, then we meet together in the center,” Jake responded looking back, waiting for confirmation. Adison looked back with a serious look, giving him a nod, but then her serious expression shifted to a smile and she winked at him, he loved it when she did that. In a blink the two of them sprinted in opposite directions toward the different groups of oppressors, zipping through in a diagonal pattern as blaster fire flew past them barely missing. 

Adison approached the first goon who was taking cover behind the canyon, she leaped up, putting one foot on the rock wall and propelling her body over her enemy, bringing her two sabers up above her head. The goon had no time to react as the beams came slamming down, slashing his body and ripping his clothes apart. Her speed was insane, she looked almost like a blur, shifting from one point to the next at a breakneck pace. Adison set her eyes on the next two foes in front of her, the one closest to her aimed his weapon and backed away. She took a step forward and wound up her lightsaber in her left hand, both the thieves steadied their aim expecting an attack, but suddenly she threw one of her weapons away. The one in the lead looked on in confusion, allowing her to attack, using her free hand she grabbed the blaster and pushed it into the goon’s stomach. He grunted as the force of the blow took him off his feet, and he fell flat on his back in the dirt. One more left, at least on this side, he shot a flurry of blasts at Adison causing her to dive out of the way and narrowly avoid the shots, she then reached out her hand and pulled it back. The man’s body flew like a ragdoll toward her, and she dove her weapon straight into his chest and followed him down, another clean kill. The thief on the ground began to rise up from the ground with his weapon in hand.

“Take this you dumb bi-” The Thief’s words were cut off as a blaster bolt he shot off was deflected back into his head.

Jake had a similar situation on his side, only he instead dashed to the one in the center. The goon was seconds away from making a shot, but suddenly the Jedi slid on the dirt kicking a large cloud of dust into his opponent’s eyes. He screamed and fell to his knees, clutching his eyes. Jake made it inches away from him, but instead of focusing on him, he shot his hand out and force-pushed the other enemy to his left, who collided into the hard rock canyon, most likely shattering his spine in the impact. Then he swiftly spun around and threw his lightsaber at the one to his right, slicing off his fingers as the beam buzzed past him. He screamed grabbing onto his hand, but it was short-lived as the saber came back and knocked him to the floor. Jake force-pulled his saber back to his hand, facing away from the goon he had blinded in the beginning, he was getting his site back and saw the Jedi with his back turned. Seeing an opportunity to stick it to the stubborn sorcerer, he wound up his arm preparing to punch, when suddenly Jake caught the second lightsaber Adison had tossed, igniting the bright Turquoise blade and diving it straight into the gut of the goon without even looking at him. With both groups on the far sides defeated, the duo turned their attention to the speeder in the middle, who had the three initial thieves and a large pile of stolen valuables. The goon in the center looked to his left and right, seeing the two blurs on each side rapidly approaching the three of them. Panic set in and he called out “Heads up we need to”

His words were cut short as the two warriors met them, the woman standing in front of the driver seat with her weapon pointed an inch away from one of the goons’ throat, the man standing on the speeder’s chairs, having one blade an inch along the neck of one, and the face of the other.

“So, are you willing to consider my offer from before?” Jake asked.

It was about 7 hours till sunrise, the moon on this planet shone brightly, a gleaming white light across the land. The villages were desolate, with a few flickers from lights inside houses, but almost everyone had turned in for the night, and a few miles away, a campfire sat at the top of a large rocky mountain. The flames were low, the fire had just recently sparked up. Standing next to the fire overlooking the town below was Adison, staring down with her arms crossed, she was thinking about the events that had just passed, the thieves that attacked the town, and how she and Jake were able to stop them effortlessly.

Adison heard the sound of logs being dropped followed by the crackle and popping of the campfire sparking, she tilted her head to see Jake, the light from the fire casting a glow upon his face. He wiped his hands, clearing any dirt from the logs, and walked around the fire, finding a spot the smoke wasn’t blowing and squatted down. The air had grown significantly colder compared to how it was during the day, there wasn't any wind, but the overall temperature seemed to decrease.

Adison turned her attention back to the town below, using her cyborg eye to zoom in, mostly keeping her attention on the outskirts, thinking of how the town could be reinforced with their defenses. As she scanned it she found herself looking inside the window of one of the houses, seeing a mother reading a story to her child in bed, probably clueless as to what the galaxy outside was like, or even how big it was.

“What do you think?” She asked

Jake picked his head up, looking toward Adison.

“What?” He said

“This town, What do you think?” 

Jake got up and walked to the edge of the cliff next to her.

“It's a nice place, the weather is a little all over the place, but it seems nice enough I guess.”

Adison sighed, he was either dodging, or he was really that stupid, both were possible and she didn’t know which option would aggravate her more.

“Ok so maybe not this one but say a village like it, think if we help the people out enough they’d accept us in?” 

Jake Crossed his arms “Maybe, at least those that were not being brainwashed by the empire. It would be a gamble, but it would be good to have some help before we moved on.”

“But say we didn’t want to move on.” 

Jake’s eyes glanced over to his partner after she said that, not necessarily taken off guard but still surprised non the less that she would suggest such a thing. 

“Yeah I'm sure they would let us stay for a while, you know let us stay for a week.”

“I”m thinking longer than a week.”

Jake breathed out “Okay what are you getting at?”

“Stop bullshitting Jake,” Adison said in an authoritative but calm tone. She took a step toward him and he in turn shifted his body to face hers.

“Don’t act like you're not also exhausted, this constant running from one place to the other is taking a toll on the both of us, and you know it.” 

“I know Adi.” Jake sighed “You’re right, it is exhausting, but it's for the best. The more we move the less likely the Empire can find us.” 

“Do you really think that they will come this far out? And all for two people that are barely on their payroll anymore.”

“We don’t know that, and plus how do we know if anyone here won't report us?”

Jake crossed his arms 

“Well we did just save their entire town from a bunch of thugs, and ran the rest of the gang off the planet, so if you ask me they like us a little better now.” Adison raised her arm, gesturing toward the village.

“For now,” Jake said as he turned his head toward the village. “But then after a while, someone finds out more about us, then they dig deeper and find out what we are, and later down the line they report us to the empire for a quick paycheck, and suddenly an entire Star Destroyer comes in and ransacks this entire place, and everyone in it.”

Jake slightly raised his voice as he said that. 

Aidson put her head down looking defeated

“That happened one time, surely we can make this work.” She stopped early, struggling to find the right words.

“What about my sister and her husband? We could stay with them.”

“Then we’d put them at risk too.” 

Adison stepped closer to Jake and placed her head on his chest. Jake stood stiffly looking down at her, he knew what he had to do, he grabbed her head and embraced her closely, sensing her emotions. 

She was in an incredibly vulnerable state of mind, completely drained from almost 10 years of being hunted down, thoughts were constantly circling her mind; the event with Risha, finding her older sister’s body at the temple, the constant worrying feeling about her younger sister being safe, the towns she’s seen destroyed by the empire, seeing her old crew get killed one by one.

“After everything” She started to say in a soft tone, “All that they’ve done, everything that we have seen, I just want to be left alone….” She placed her hands on Jake’s chest. 

“How do you deal with it all?” She looked up at Jake.

Jake didn’t say anything, he caressed her face and closed his eyes, sharing visions and memories through the force, tears fell from Adison’s face as a tranquil feeling flowed through her, she shut her eyes and held onto Jake’s arms, the two of them were surrounded with memories, of familiar sights, smells, and sounds. The dusty air of Korriban where they first met, the constant bickering that they would constantly get into, arguing back and forth about the smallest things. Then came a memory of sneaking around the Hutt’s cartel base, where they would first kiss, originally to hide from the guards, and then that memory blended with when they kissed for real on board their ship, when they first surrendered to their feelings. Those happy memories faded into dark memories, Jake losing his leg to the metal creature, and Adison losing her eye to Risha, dark moments that left permanent scars both physically and mentally, yet there was comfort within them. Adison comforted Jake in the days after his injury, and him telling her he loved her after hers. The trance faded and the connection through the force flowed through them as they came back to reality, the two of them opened their eyes and looked deep into each other’s eyes.

“I don’t,” He said solemnly

“I know Adi, after everything we’ve seen, everything we’ve done I think we earned a rest.” A gentle wind flowed through, causing a soft wave through their hair and clothes.

Adison looked down “I realize I screwed up so much, either let down or abandoned so many people that gave me their trust.” She looked back up at her partner “But I'm glad I managed one thing for now, not to screw this up, what we have.”