#and now he's coming at him with ' my heart led me here ' LIKE LMAO he's so well aware of how awkward this is to be experiencing

[mydadleft471]

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Summary: Messmer decides to surprise you in more ways than one.

Spoilers for both Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree. No warnings tho, just me loving my fiery redhead.

MESSMER LOVERS COME EAT!

I finally got the courage to upload the fic I was working on! Everyone was so nice (and starving for Messmer content) so I folded lmao. Please enjoy and understand that I have never written anything like this, especially with ye olde English. It's a pain.

“I have something I wish to show thee.” Messmer’s low voice cut through the silence reverberating in his chamber.

“What is it?” You look up from patching a hole in one of his cloaks.

“I cannot say. It is a surprise.” His eye twinkled with something akin to mischief. You put down your needle and gently fold his cloak, putting it on your chair to finish later.

“A surprise for me? Are you feeling alright, My Lord?” You smile at him from where he towers above you. 

“Shush. Wilt thou follow?” 

“Always,” you say.

He leads you down countless flights of stairs and through the castle’s corridors. Down a hallway, you follow him as he steps into a lift that takes you to a part of the castle that is unfamiliar to you. You assumed you had explored everything by now, but it seems you were wrong. Messmer had given you permission to freely roam the castle, and you had spent a lot of time exploring the various rooms. You had gotten lost many times within the many twisting and confusing hallways, but the castle staff always led you back to your quarters. 

The path from the lift leads out to a part of the castle almost entirely flooded. This seems like a place that hasn’t been occupied in many years. Some of the buildings you can see appear to be collapsing and debris litters the area. The water churns uneasily below you, as if something lurks in the depths. Taking a few steps away from the ledge, you stare out into the water that swallows surrounding buildings.

“What is it?” Messmer asks. He senses your trepidation in going any further, though you don’t think you have much to worry about with a powerful demigod at your side. Still, this place sets your nerves alight and has you on high alert.

“I’ve never seen this place before. Where are we?”

He speaks as if it’s common knowledge. “The Church District.”

“What happened here?”

He takes a second before he responds in a flat tone. “It does not matter.” Noticing your face falling slightly, he gives you a small smile. “Thy surprise is near. Come.”

You continue to follow him, your footfalls mere echoes of his much heavier ones. You wonder where he is taking you, and why he decided to surprise you. Though you have gotten much closer to him throughout your time in the Realm of Shadow, you can’t wrap your head around the fact that he wants to show you something himself. So many unanswered questions, though Messmer brings about many of those. Still, you cannot complain about how well he treats you now after you’ve earned some of his trust. You are safe within his walls, and you are welcome.

Though you wish he’d let you into his heart and mind more often, you take what you can get.

Finally, he stops in a room with a large, and complete, statue of Queen Marika. Many throughout the Realm of Shadow have been beheaded, sending icy chills through you when you first arrived, but this one is intact. The only signs of damage have been from the apparent age of the statue.

“Dost thou trust me?”

His question catches you off guard. Looking up at him, he looks vulnerable and almost uncomfortable. 

“Of course I do. I wouldn’t have followed if I didn’t.” You smile at him to ease his tension.

He relaxes slightly. “Of course. I will ask thee to trust me again.”

You shoot him a puzzled look. How could you trust him any more than you already have?

“Close thine eyes. I shall lead thee, hand in hand.”

The prospect of him holding your hand makes heat rush to your cheeks, but you comply. Closing your eyes, you hold out your hands, and a few seconds later, he grabs them in his much larger ones. He holds them delicately, as if you might break if he dares to squeeze your hands. His skin is surprisingly smooth and warm. 

“I will ensure thou dost not fall and injure thyself..” 

“I’d appreciate that.”

He chuckles at your comment, a sound so rare and pleasant you want to hear it again and again. He begins walking, gently guiding you down a hill and you soon feel sunlight on your skin. The air feels lighter and there is a pleasant smell of lavender and fresh grass in the air. You wonder where you could possibly be. You haven’t seen much greenery in the Realm of Shadow.

After a few minutes he stops and lets go of your hands. You instantly miss his warmth, but you soon feel the heat of him behind you. You keep your eyes closed out of obedience and trust; you know he would not harm you.

His hands gently find your waist and he moves you a few steps to the left. Satisfied, he lowers a hand over your eyes to ensure you will not open them prematurely.

“This place is sacred. Inviting thee here was not a spontaneous act.” His voice is a mere whisper in your ear. You can’t tell whether to be scared or excited for what he will soon allow you to see.

He moves his hand away from your eyes, but they remain closed. You will not sully his trust. 

You can hear the smile in his voice. He’s pleased by your obedience. 

“Open thine eyes.”

You do, and you are immediately greeted with a grassy field speckled with vibrant flowers. You’ve never seen so many in one place. You think it would take all day to identify them. Trickles of gold sit suspended in the air like shattered stained glass and the sunlight kisses your skin sweetly. Not far up a hill is a small village made up of a few wooden houses. They look old and mostly abandoned. You take in the beauty before you. Not even Leyendell was this spectacular.

“Thou’rt pleased, I take it?” His voice wavers slightly with uncertainty.

“This is a most wonderful surprise, My Lord. Thank you for bringing me here.” You look up at Messmer, whose golden eye seems to shine brighter in the sanctity of this place.

“Forget formalities here.” He sits down in the soft grass and you are soon to join him. He looks relaxed, even happy, here.

“May I ask where we are now?” You idly skim your fingertips over the silky petals of the flowers swaying in the breeze around your skirt.

“Mother’s home. Her village before she became a God.” 

Your mouth hangs open in shock. It takes you a few moments to gather yourself enough to speak. “Queen Marika lived here?”

“Yes,” he answers. “Long ago.”

You wonder if Marika wanted Messmer to guard her old home, or if he does it out of love for her. You’ve seen the state of other Shamans within his infirmary, his medics working day and night to try and reverse the torture they’d went through. You knew Marika was a Shaman herself, but you’d never realized this place was originally her home. Your heart hurts for the God-Queen. Behind all her power was a girl who wanted her people safe.

You sigh, and Messmer shoots you a curious look. “This is the first time I’ve seen Marika as a person. Knowing she lived here, knowing she suffered… I understand now.”

Messmer reaches up and takes his helmet off, gently placing it to his side. “Mother desired revenge for her peoples’ suffering, and I became her instrument to do so here, in the Land of Shadow.”

“Did you want this?” 

He closes his eye. “Mother has endured what a thousand people could not. I will ensure she receives her long-awaited deliverance.” He dodged the question. He does not want this, but he desires to avenge Marika.

“I know you won’t answer me truthfully, and we don’t have to talk about this anymore. But know this: you are not ‘The Impaler’ to me.”

“Thank you.” His response is so quiet you almost can’t hear it, despite being right next to him.

As promised, you change the subject. “Have you brought others here?”

He looks away and you can see a faint blush creeping up his cheeks.

“I have not. The first to lay eyes on this place is thee.” He admits.

“Why?”

“I-“ he begins. “Surely thou must know thy importance to me, yes?” 

The realization hits you. 

This is his way of saying he loves you.

You scoot closer to him and lay your head against his arm. You feel him tense, then slowly begin to relax. One of his snakes gently perches itself on your shoulder. You smile.

“You can touch me, you know.” You reassure him. “You won’t break me.”

Silence hangs in the breeze as you wait for him to respond.

“Dost thou understand my reason for bringing thee here?”

You nod against him. “I think so.”

He moves away from you, earning himself a confused look, then he slowly grabs your hands and pulls you closer until you are comfortably sitting between his legs. You look up at him and see that his face is almost as red as his hair. He is adorable when he blushes.

You could get used to this.

“You will forgive me if I am too presumptuous. I am… not accustomed to touch, yet I want thee closer.” His soft, silky voice makes your heart melt.

“I want you closer too. It’s okay.” You cup his face with both hands, and though it’s a simple gesture, he relaxes into your touch almost immediately. His eye closes and you try to memorize the look of peace etched on his face.

“With thee, I am content.” He whispers to you.

“Then I’ll see to it that we’re never separated.” 

His eye flutters open and he hazily looks down at your lips. His hand engulfs your cheek and you feel the warmth radiating from his palm.

So many have met their demise from the man sitting in front of you now, content and complacent, and that thought sends shivers down your spine.

“No man nor God could tear thee away from me. That is a promise.” 

He leans forward and kisses you. His lips are soft and he pulls you closer to him and his hands are splayed possessively over your face and back. You don’t want to pull away, and you get the feeling he doesn’t want to either.

You are his as he is yours.

[snailpebbles]

teach me kisses? - OP81

summary: oscar teaches you to kiss ig. gone right.

wc: 2k

tags: fluff, tooth rotting, maybe suggestive, uhh kinda sad but not for them lmao, not proofread

⋅˚₊‧𐙚‧₊🍊˚ 🧡୨♡୧ ⋅🔸˚₊‧꒰ა🟠໒꒱ 🍊‧₊˚

It was safe to say Oscar was a little more than concerned to receive a text from you in the middle of a relatively chill day, asking for him to come over. Of course he does seeing as it's impossible to deny you, his best friend of six years. He rushed around his flat unsure of what to grab, so he settles on a multitude of items: Advil, Tylenol (for variety, you tend to get picky), a hoodie with his cologne, and another hoodie (once again, variety).

While making the drive to your flat, he stops by a corner store to grab a few more items on the rare chance you might be upset with him. The bell dings as he steps into the family-owned shop, most definitely older than him if the kind old lady behind the counter was anything to go by. It's mostly empty, the short aisles containing various items, but he knows what he wants. Settling on a nice bouquet of pink tulips alongside your favorite soda, Oscar makes his way to the counter.

The cashier smiles at his items and makes idle conversation with the young man, feeling some sort of interest within him.

"She the lucky girl, or are you a lucky man?" She asks, chuckling softly as she fixes up the flowers to look more presentable. Oscar's face tints pink, an awkward side smile pulling on his lips.

"Oh shes- well-" He stumbles for his words, suddenly seeing you in a new light he'd previously pushed down in the fear of losing you. "lucky man." Is the answer he settles on, giving a slight huff of laughter to ease his own nerves that the old woman doesn't share. She hands him the flowers and soda, patting his left hand as she does.

"My Willis and I have been together since the fifties, so listen to me when I tell you...cherish each other." A nostalgic smile lights up her face, previous youth shining through. Pictures hang on the corkboard behind her, all featuring that youth beside a young man.

"He was lost in the war, but those few years were the best of my life." She sighs softly, a shaking hand tracing along a picture of Willis. "You keep that girl close, or my umbrella and I just might have to find you." Oscar nods at her comment, taking it to heart.

"I'd never hurt her, Gods help me if I did." He mutters, placing his credit card back in his wallet, a picture of you beaming at the camera greeting him momentarily further softening his heart.

⋅˚₊‧𐙚‧₊🍊˚ 🧡୨♡୧ ⋅🔸˚₊‧꒰ა🟠໒꒱ 🍊‧₊˚

Your doorbell startles you even through you'd been pacing in front of it for the past ten minutes, debating every choice that has led you here. Trembling hands brush invisible dust off your pajamas and regret fills you for not looking more presentable. Peering through the peephole, you are greeted by Oscar rocking on his heels in the hall, your favorite flowers in hand.

The door flinging open surprises him, as does your hand tugging him inside. Within a flurry of motion the tulips are put in a vase, the soda is already half chugged, and multiple thank yous meet his ears. You're a tornado of movement and he has to catch you by the shoulders, stilling you in front of him with a worried gaze.

"Did something happen? Are you alright?" He asks, eyes scanning you and definitely not lingering.

Definitely.

"No I'm fine Osc, no need to act like a worried mother." You wave his concerns off, moving to set on your comfy sofa, soda still in hand. He settles down beside you, placing his stuffed to the brim backpack by his feet. He unzips it and a hoodie half falls out, one that he places in your lap. "Why..are you cold?" He smiles awkwardly at your question, now feeling like an idiot.

"No uhm, well I was worried so I might have...over prepared." Before he can hide his backpack you're already rifling through it, awing at each thoughtful item.

"You brought me drugs! How kind." You snicker, holding up the Advil and Tylenol. Oscars already red face only turns a darker shade and he snatches them away from you.

"I didn't bring you drugs- well technically I did- but I thought you were sick or something!" He defends, placing the bottles back in his bag. An apologetic smile forms on your face and your hand falls to his shoulder, appreciation only rising for the sweet man before you. What country did you save in a past life to warrant such blessing?

"Not sick, but I do have a bit of a request for you." Your hands twist nervously in your lap, the inside of your bottom lip chewed raw at this point. Oscar dips his head to meet your gaze, making you feel warm all over from his attentiveness. "You need to promise me that you won't laugh, okay?" Oscar nods, shifting closer to you.

"I promise I won't laugh." He murmurs, worry internally taking him over as thoughts rush through his mind. Did you take your ex back? Are you sick and lying to him? Oh God do you have a new boyfriend?? This one truly makes him sick, but he refuses to dwell on his reaction.

Inhaling deeply, exhaling through your mouth, you blurt out what you want with your eyes squeezed shut.

"I need you to kiss me."

Oscars heart stops briefly, then kicks back up into overdrive. Is this what a heart attack feels like? Kiss you? You? His lips on yours? Oh God.

His silence makes you nervous so you peek, and the air is punched out of your lungs as a result.

His face is red and he's stone-still, lips parted and eyes ever so slightly widened. Is it bad to say you enjoy seeing him like this?

"Okay." The words finally leave his lips in the form of a breathless whisper, tongue darting out to wet them subconsciously. Surprise smacks you in the face, never once having anticipated a yes so simply. An urge to explain fills you; to justify such a request.

"See I just- well I have a date tomorrow and it's been a long time since I've ever kissed someone, so I figured you could help me relearn." You explain, hands waving around in the air to further your point. As you speak, you don't notice the way Oscar steels back up, shutting back down. How could he ever think you'd be into him when you're so amazing? All of those emotions are forced back into an old box, edges worn out from his mind picking at it on late nights.

"Right. Yeah." He nods, swallowing the bile wanting to rise. He should be happy for you, for taking such a step after the shit-storm of your last relationship. Jealousy edges into his mind, seeping into the cracks and his ego, protectiveness shifting into possessiveness for a split second. You're his, not some random guy who can't even qualify as a man. He's always been there, not this- this idiot.

"So uh, do we just..?" You bring your legs up onto the sofa, sitting criss cross and shifting to face him. The nerves teeter on uncomfortable, but excitement balances it all out for you. His lips are so kissable, it has honestly pained you for years that you may never feel them against your own. Oscar takes the lead of course and his slender yet strong hands cup your jaw, pointer finger drawing circles just in front of your ear. You feel frozen in time, hands useless in your lap as you can't seem to draw your attention anywhere but those lips and the light stubble surrounding the area.

"..You need to close your eyes." He reminds you, his voice sounding a whole lot more gravelly, if not hoarse. Why would it be? What would cause such a-

Warmth. His lips, a delicacy you knew internally you craved, bring a warmth you'd forgotten the embrace of long ago. Oscar sharply inhales at the first contact and struggles to restrain himself, your hesitancy in the kiss the only reminder that you need slow and gentle. He abides by this and tries to stay focused while you lose any thought except the need to keep him as close as possible, right on you where he belongs.

Your eyes had fallen shut awhile ago, but who can say? Time feels meaningless when Oscars hands are trailing down to your hips, the kiss at some point having deepened into an intimacy you weren't sure even existed. He lifts you into his lap with an ease that sets you on fire, scorching a path up to your heart and burning up the oxygen in your lungs. Not that you mind. You'd happily give him your air if it'll make him stay attached like this. Oscar memorizes all of you as you do him, burning your skin with his touch and peeling away layers of lies you'd both put up for a false pretense of simple friendship.

Maybe you've fallen into wonderland because you certainly feel mad. He's tearing out your soul with how gentle yet compassionate his kisses are, soft gasps and sighs filling the otherwise quiet flat, only to mingle with birdsong outside the window. Would you let him kiss you on that balcony for everyone to see? A Juliet he'd most certainly keep. He tugs you closer, chest to chest and heart to heart, both fluttering wildly as if in a cage. Every touch he gets is full of you, any late night dream far surpassed as you give up any control to him, bending under gentle actions like putty. God and your taste, one in the same as it is for you. Closer and closer you become, the outside world ceasing to exist just like any false boundaries you'd both foolishly believed like it'd save you from the damnation of love.

"Osc.. Oscar.." You mumble breathlessly as you part, both panting for air and refusing to give the other space with the way your foreheads stay pressed together. "I lied. There's no date." The white lie is finally revealed, one you'd said out of fear for rejection.

"...Thank fuck." He mutters, laughing under his breath as his lips meet yours once more. He can barely kiss you though, not when he's smiling so widely. You giggle, so he does too and suddenly you're both laughing heavily, falling into one another.

"Be mine?" The question leaves you without consequence, your heart and head airy with love. Oscar nods into your collarbone, still placing kisses there with reverence.

"I've always been yours." He says simply.

"Me too."

⋅˚₊‧𐙚‧₊🍊˚ 🧡୨♡୧ ⋅🔸˚₊‧꒰ა🟠໒꒱ 🍊‧₊˚

"C'mon! We're gonna get soaked!" Your laugh fills up the corner store, rain hammering down on the two of you. Oscar trails in behind you, hand tightly linked with yours as a bright smile stays firm on his face.

"Thought you liked when we were-" He starts but you slap his shoulder, covering your grin with your free hand as you scoff. He grins back, leading you through the short aisles to wait out the storm and maybe get a few (a lot) of cheat snacks. Oscar grabs Snickers, you grab Hersheys. He takes a Sprite, you take a Dr. Pepper. (You'll later end up forgetting that chocolate melts and get a whole pizza instead, walking in the park while eating out of the waterlogged box.)

"That everything?" The old lady behind the counter asks as Oscar goes to pay, just barely beating you to it while ignoring your protests. He thinks for a moment and then grabs a bouquet of pink tulips, grinning like he'd just won a race. Your heart warms and you peck his cheek as thanks, his pale skin going an identical shade of pink to the petals. Maybe one day he'll realize that that's why pink tulips are your favorite.

She checks you out and waves goodbye since the rain has since cleared up, watching as you walk out swinging each other's hand. Her gaze falls to the corkboard behind her, a small smile on her lips as she traces her lost loves face.

⋅˚₊‧𐙚‧₊🍊˚ 🧡୨♡୧ ⋅🔸˚₊‧꒰ა🟠໒꒱ 🍊‧₊˚

hello I haven't written in forever and I also don't know why I gave the old lady a backstory ????

[atlabeth]

greener grass | luke castellan

i recommend reading bleedin me dry before this as this is the au to that!

summary: what if you left with luke that day in the woods?

a/n: would just like to give a HUGE thank you for the massive amount of support on my luke fic!! and another huge thank you to all you angst demons because why do you want more of it. i mean i get it but why. anyways here’s a different path of actually accepting luke’s offer like so many of you said you would instantly fold lmao i hope you enjoy

wc: 3.2k

warning(s): fem!daughter of demeter reader. luke is his own warning. kind of unhealthy relationship, weird vibes all around

The stars were brighter than ever tonight. 

It was one of the first things that stuck out to you when you got to camp, and it was one of the first things that you noticed when you first got on the road with Luke. 

You’d always loved the stars. They were a rare sight coming from the city, such a sign of nature and purity that it honestly shouldn’t have been a surprise when you were claimed. You still remembered the shock that went through you when you first saw what a night sky free of pollution could be, and you still remembered the first time you risked your life with the harpies just to spend the night star-gazing. 

And you could never forget the first time you dragged Luke along with you, his wry protests falling on deaf ears though he grinned the entire way down to the beach, his hand laced in yours.  

Gods. 

Luke. 

Even the thought of him these days was enough to make your heart clench, a slight shiver run down your spine, and you weren’t fully sure as to why. 

You loved him. You ran away with him. Every path that led you here, you willingly chose to walk down. 

But you still questioned every second of every godsdamned day if they were the right decisions. Especially now, as you sat alone in front of the fire, carefully stoking it with one of the few dry sticks you’d been able to find after taking shelter—in your own haphazard tent made of vines and tree trunks and any other bits of nature you’d managed to sprout from the ground with your powers—to wait out a rainstorm. 

You decided to spend the night, deciding that traveling through the darkness was too risky after the last monster attack, but the minutes couldn’t have been creeping by slower. If being in nature didn’t quite literally fuel you, you knew you would be far more miserable than you already were.

You loved Luke with all your heart, and if he was willing to potentially throw off his entire plan just so he could bring you with him, then he had to love you the same. You owed him this, at least, to not abandon him. 

You— you didn’t want to serve Kronos, but you didn’t want to serve the gods, either. Your mother abandoned you before you were old enough to know what the word meant, leaving you on your father’s doorstep swaddled in blankets and with a note that he still had to this day. 

Demeter left your father to raise you on his own, left you to live the half-life of a half-blood, and hardly paid attention to you since. She didn’t help you when you were on the road to camp with your satyr, wondering if every bump in the night would be your end, and she let you feel worthless for an entire year before she finally decided you were deserving of her claim.

Or maybe she just finally remembered you existed. 

You understood Luke’s anger—you felt it yourself more than you liked to admit—but the path he was on was a dangerous one. You doubted you could take him off of it, but you could keep him safe, and you could prevent more damage. That was all you cared about at this point. 

How long you could walk this line was an entirely different question. 

You sensed him before you heard him even lost in your thoughts, but the snapping of twigs still made your breath catch for a moment. You kept your gaze on the fire as you spoke. 

“Anything?” 

“These woods are surprisingly bare for the time of year,” Luke said as he set his backpack on the ground, kneeling down to rifle through it. “I feel like Artemis is punishing me.” 

“Well, she doesn’t exactly have a reason to help you,” you said wryly. You gestured with your head towards the miniature orchard you’d been making at each one of your camps—one pro of your parentage was that you—hopefully—wouldn’t ever starve on the road. You’d been growing plants since you realized you could, so it was practically second nature at this point. “Fruit’s on the menu, if you’re interested.” 

Luke chuckled as he walked over, and as he plucked a perfectly ripe strawberry, he glanced at you. “Feeling nostalgic?” 

You shrugged. You wondered which of your siblings would be in charge of the strawberries with you gone. You hoped Mr. D wouldn’t give it to one of his kids. “Do you blame me?” 

“Not at all.” He popped it into his mouth then took an apple from the smallest tree you’d been able to grow. “It was home for us both, for a while.” 

You bit your lip. It still was your home—it had been for the past four years. You wanted to go back eventually, but you felt like you had sealed your coffin by going with Luke. Would they ever welcome you back, knowing you willingly followed him into the darkness?

“How long do you think we’ll be on the road?” you asked, finally looking over at him as he sat down across from you. “Not that I don’t enjoy being with you, but… it’s not exactly the safest.”

“At least another week or two,” Luke said. You tried your hardest to keep your expression even as he settled the full force of his gaze on you—you couldn’t deal with the scrutiny. “I need to make sure they’ve lost our trail. The last thing we need is a questing group on our asses.”

You huffed a laugh. “You think they’ll actually send anyone after us?”

Luke shrugged. “If all went well, camp is in total disarray. If it didn’t, they still know I’m with Kronos. I can’t imagine Chiron would take that lightly. And,” he inclined his head, “I did kidnap you.”

You scoffed. “You didn’t kidnap me.”

“They’ll probably think so,” he said, and there was something strange in his eyes. “Doesn’t make sense for you to come with me willingly.”

This again. “Luke—”

“I know,” he said, a slight smile on his lips. There wasn’t much heart in it. “You don’t have to explain yourself again.”

“I just don’t want you to think I’m not with you,” you said. “I— I am. I’m only here for you, Luke.”

His eyes softened. “You mean it?”

“I do,” you nodded. “I couldn’t just leave you.”

“I don’t take any of this lightly, you know.” His eyes never wavered from yours, the orange light flickering across his face and casting a devilish shadow. “You being here means the world. Nothing’s gonna happen to you—I’ll make sure of it.”

“I’m not just gonna lay you out to dry, either,” you said wryly. “We’ll protect each other. Like we always have.”

“Exactly,” Luke affirmed. He bit into the apple he’d seemingly forgot about, and you looked up at the sky in the resulting silence.

It felt like your mind always drifted back to camp, back to your siblings and friends and the victims of Luke’s crusade.

Your summer siblings who would come back next year and wonder where you went, your year-rounders waking up the next morning and all the mornings after with a discontented glance at your bed. 

How long would it take for them to forget you? For you to just be another lost demigod in the camp files?

And poor Annabeth Chase. Luke practically raised her, and he walked out on her without a word—you considered yourself lucky he didn’t do the same to you, and you had no idea what awaited you on your path together. 

The gods had never been one for listening, and certainly not to you, but you hoped at least one of them would look down on you. Maybe your mother could provide some of that wizened second child advice, shine her favor on you for the first time in your life.

Well. You doubted Demeter would very much appreciate your quasi-support of the titan that ate her. The thing you should have considered yourself lucky for was that your powers still worked. 

Luke brought you back to Earth by saying your name, and your gaze snapped back down to meet his. His scar seemed especially grisly in the firelight, at odds with the softness of his expression—something that felt all too rare these days. 

“What’s on your mind?” he asked. 

“What else could possibly be on it?” you asked wryly, tossing the stick you’d been fiddling with into the fire. It crackled as the flames devoured it, something so out of its realm thrust into it anyways. 

“Stupid question,” he admitted. 

“We’re practically fugitives, Luke,” you said. “We have monsters after us, and possibly people from camp. We left everyone behind. I’m with you, trust me, but— but I can’t just get over it all as easily as you.”

“And I get that,” he said. “This—” he sighed and shook his head— “you really don’t know how much you being here means to me. I thought I was going to be out on my own on all this.”

Your throat bobbed. You’d never tell him, but you didn’t even know what your answer was going to be until the words left your mouth.

“And you’re telling me that you’d still choose them over me?”

“No,” you said. “I wouldn’t.”

Luke’s eyes softened and your throat felt like it was closing up.

“Then come with me,” he whispered. “We will change the world together.”

“I can’t,” you asserted. “I can’t just leave everyone behind— I’d be leaving my entire life behind, Luke!”

“You’ll help them more this way,” Luke insisted. “The gods aren’t on our side—we’re here so they don’t have to pay attention to us. If we want anything to change for the better, we’re gonna have to do it ourselves.” 

You bit your lip, and he brushed a strand of hair out of your face. 

“I wouldn’t ask you this if I didn’t think you were right for it,” he murmured, tilting his head as he gazed into your eyes. “Your mother’s never bothered to see you before. I’m gonna make her see you.” 

“How?” you asked, hating the hints of desperation coloring your voice. 

“You’ll see,” he said. “But we’re gonna do something so big that no one’s going to be able to ignore us.” 

Memories of the past four years flashed through your mind, but the two at the forefront were ones with Luke and ones without your mother. 

He’d always been there for you, even when Demeter—especially when she wasn’t.

You couldn’t just leave him on his own. Not when he was baring his soul to you—not when his quest for greatness included it for you too. 

Not when he was the first boy you ever loved, the one who brought you back from the god-induced edge. 

“…Okay,” you said, the word feeling like an ultimatum the moment it left your lips. “Okay. I’ll go with you.” 

He stared at you for a second like he didn’t hear you, or rather like he didn’t actually believe it. And then he broke out into a grin. 

“Really?” 

“Yes, really,” you said. “Have I ever lied to you?” 

“Go to your cabin and pack your bags,” Luke said, still unable to control his exuberant expression. We’ll meet each other at the top of the hill.” 

“Right now?” 

Luke nodded. “Only a couple hours until we’re harpy feed. Everyone’ll think we’re just leaving for the school year.” 

“You’ve always been a year-rounder,” you said. “Won’t people—” 

“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “No one’ll think anything of it. We just have to get out before anyone asks any questions.” 

“Luke,” you murmured, “are you—” 

Luke cut you off with a blazing kiss, the same kind of fire in his eyes when he pulled away, a slight smile on his lips at leaving you breathless. 

“I’m sure,” he whispered. “You’re not going to regret this. I promise.” 

It was all you could do to stare up at him, his grip on your arms the only thing keeping you upright for a solid moment. 

“Go,” he said. “Take your time—don’t draw any suspicion. I’ll meet you there.”

“You’re really sure?” you asked, finally able to form words. “Really really sure? About this, a— and me?” 

He cupped your cheek, tracing his thumb along your jaw. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life than I am about you.” 

Leaving camp was insane—when Luke told you of Kronos’s plans, it was even more insane—but it had always been you and Luke. He’d been such a huge part of your life, ever since you first came to camp, that you couldn’t imagine yourself without him. 

And when you looked back at him, illuminated by the fire, you were sure of at least one thing. 

You weren’t leaving any time soon. Not when you could still fix all of this. 

A yawn got the better of you, and you felt Luke’s eyes on you as you covered your mouth with a fist. 

“You should get to sleep,” he said. “It’s been a long day.” 

“It’s been a long day for both of us,” you said. “We both had to get here—and you were the one who wandered around in the woods for two hours trying to hunt.” 

“How do you know I wandered?” Luke asked, setting the apple core down on the ground next to him. “You weren’t there. Maybe I had a very respectable saunter and just came up with nothing.” 

You chuckled. “The trees speak to me.” 

“Really?” he asked, clearly amused. “And what did they say?” 

“That you’re an awful hunter,” you mused, “and you should be very thankful that your girlfriend is good at everything.” 

Luke smirked and got up to start walking towards you. “Your ever-knowledgeable trees should know that I already know.” He kneeled down in front of you, a slight smile curling on your lips. “And that I am very thankful.” 

He pressed a heated kiss to your lips, and you reciprocated, looping an arm around him to keep him close before you pulled away. 

“It’s always good to hear it,” you murmured. 

“I’ll say it as many times as you need,” he assured. Luke stole another kiss then gestured towards your makeshift tent. “But you do need to get some sleep. We’re picking up at first light.” 

Your smile wavered. “We’ve been moving break-neck for a week already. Are you sure we can’t ease up?” 

“Soon,” Luke promised. “I told you, I just want to make sure we’ve lost any tails. We can’t afford that right now.” 

He must have seen the change in your expression, because his eyes softened and he took your hand. “It won’t be like this forever, babe. You can handle it.” 

“It doesn’t mean I want to,” you said dryly, but you sighed as you squeezed his hand. “I’ll turn in if you do too.” 

“Anything for you,” Luke said with a smile. You chuckled and shook your head as you stood up, and Luke grabbed his backpack before he went over to the tent with you. 

Your meager belongings weren’t much. You’d stuffed all the demigod essentials, some outfits, and a sleeping bag in your pack before hightailing it to Thalia’s tree, and Luke hadn’t packed much more—but at least it was light traveling. 

Every night had been spent in the same way, sharing your sleeping bag as you got what precious sleep Luke allocated before you were back on the road again. You were sure the only thing that got you through each early rising was his soft touches and easy murmured words. 

You laid down, staring up at the roof of brambles and bark, and you twisted your hand just so to make them twist away from each other for a small opening. 

Luke raised an eyebrow at you as he zipped his bag up, still crouched on the ground. “What’s that for?” 

You shrugged. “I’ve always liked sleeping under the stars.” 

Again, that small smile. It could still make you melt, even now. “I remember. I just hope it doesn’t start raining again.” 

“Like rain’ll be the worst thing we’ve dealt with,” you said wryly. “Besides, I can feel it in the air. We’re gonna be fine.”

“Yeah,” he said. “We are.” 

You glanced over and he was looking at you. You patted the spot next to you. 

“C’mon,” you said. “I’m cold.” 

“Oh, we can’t have that,” he said, amused, and he huddled in next to you. You let out a contented sigh as his body heat sunk into you, and he draped an arm across you to pull you closer. 

“That better?” he asked. 

You hummed in response. “Thank you.” 

“Always.” 

You closed your eyes as you exhaled deeply, trying your best to unwind the tension in every part of your body. You weren’t used to trekking miles every day, eating rations you’d packed from camp or gas station food from whenever you ended up close to town, only having the woods and the sky and Luke for company. It was starting to wear on you, but you weren’t going to let Luke know. 

“I love you,” Luke said suddenly, breaking the silence, his breath tickling your neck. Your eyes snapped open. “You know that, right?” 

A moment passed before you murmured, “I know.” 

You could feel some of the tension leave his body, and he adjusted his position to be closer to you. 

“Good.” 

His curls brushed against your skin as he rested his head in the crook of your neck. Luke was a comforting presence behind you, like an anchor in the choppy waters you’d thrown yourself into, but it… it just felt different than the countless other times. 

But that was only natural. You were back on the road, living the way you did when you first made the trip to Camp Half-blood with your satyr. Of course it felt different than the crowded chaos of the Hermes cabin, or the beach underneath a tapestry of stars, or your own bed at the behest of your siblings. The only thing that stayed the same was the scent of nature, and the scent of Luke. 

Things were different, yes, but you knew that would happen. Luke was different, but you knew that would happen—half the reason you came along with him was because you wanted to make sure he had a lifeline, a way to come back to shore when he decided his crusade was over. 

Because it had to be over eventually. He would decide that there was no way you could beat the gods, that it wasn’t worth killing himself over some meaningless mission. The gods had never cared about you before—you didn’t know why they would care about some half-baked rebellion by two of their least favorite kids. 

You loved Luke. He loved you. You told yourself that was all that mattered, because you were in this together now. 

For better or for worse. 

[poisonous-honey]

Soul Crushing Guilt

(This is a re-upload: Originally posted to UniverseUchu on December 2nd, 2022)

You've treated them all like toys. In your defence this was just another video game to you a couple of weeks ago, but they're actually real with thoughts and feelings of their own. You don't know how to feel.

Who’s Here! Venti

Contains: isekai reader, Self Aware Genshin (not the Cult SAGAU), Insecurities (reader), Hurt/Comfort I guess it’s called

Note: I will say this takes place in the middle of a story, but it works on its own and I really liked how this turned out. I do have more written, but it's incomprehensible (even after a whole year it's still incomprehensible lmao)

Sitting on the cliffside of Starsnatch is not where you intended to be at this time, but your guilt and insecurities have led you here. You needed to be away from all the positivity from everyone in Mondstadt. Their kindness was only worsening your mood. Staring over the edge, lost deep inside your head, you almost miss the way the wind whirls around you before you hear the one person you wanted to avoid the most right now.

“There you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Why’d you leave without saying anything? Everyone back at Mond is worried, you know.”

You don’t say anything in response and let Venti walk up and sit next to you. You both stay silent and watch the waves crash onto the beach. Venti occasionally takes glances in your direction, but for the most part his eyes are on the scenery. After a few minutes, he tries asking you again.

“I know you told us that we aren’t overwhelming you, but please, if we actually are-”

“That’s not the reason I left Venti.”

“Then what is it?”

Silence is all that greets him. “Please, we just want you to be comfortable with us. We can’t help if we don’t know.”

Hearing him say that only makes you feel more guilty. They’re all so nice to you, and for what? The pressure and the guilt keeps building and building the more you stay here. Everyone’s been so understanding and kind, but all you’ve done before is use them any which way. You’ve judged them for superficial reasons and have even gotten them killed on numerous occasions. Venti showing up and putting the blame on himself and the others like they’re the reason you left just adds onto your shame as tears start to escape your eyes.

Upon seeing your eyes water, Venti slightly panics. “W-Wait, why are you crying!? I’m sorry for whatever-”

“Venti please stop.”

You turn to look Venti in the eyes, and see the panic and worry etched onto his face. It only makes you feel worse.

“Venti… Why are you here? Why do you keep following me?’ You look away from him, trying to keep from balling on the spot. ‘Why are you so nice to me?”

Hearing this, Venti’s face slowly scrunches in confusion. “What do you mean? Of course, I’m going to be nice to you. Where is this coming from?”

“You were conscious the entire time I was playing. I used you all like you were dolls for my amusement. After I got you, didn’t you feel like I was holding you captive or-or like some sort of toy forced to do my bidding? I don’t understand why no one hates me! I feel so guilty of everything I’ve said and done, but everyone’s apologizing to me like they’re in the wrong, and I don’t get it! Especially you! As the God of Freedom, don’t you hate me for taking away your own freedom from you? I just don’t understand… So why…” Unable to continue, you look away as you try to wipe your eyes and wait for Venti to finally tell you he hates you. That he’s going to stop pretending and get up and leave you alone. In your mind you know he would never, that's not who he is, but fear and anxiety is irrational.

Your breath hitches as you feel his hands land on your cheeks and turn your head to look at him. Instead of the disgust or apathy your heart was expecting, Venti’s face is filled with sorrow.

“I can’t believe you would think so low of me.’ He looks downwards and wipes away a few tears with his thumbs before looking back at you with nothing but care. ‘I guess from your point of view that’s a reasonable assumption to make, but you seem to be forgetting one key detail.”

You stare at him as he proceeds to give you the smuggest look you’ve ever seen on him. “I came home extremely early on my banner, didn’t I?”

What he’s saying doesn’t make any sense to you. He’s already treating you extremely differently than you anticipated, and now his question is putting your already malfunctioning brain into overdrive. What did his banner have to do with anything?

“What? Venti I-I don’t understand. What are you trying to…’ Finally, it all starts to click into place as your eyes widen, and his stupid grin gets larger. ‘You… Did you influence the banner wishes???”

Venti laughs joyously as he lets go of your face. His eyes sparkle like he’s recounting the best moment of his life.

“Why yes, I did! I actually got in a lot of trouble for that! It's part of the reason you lost the next 50/50, but I couldn’t miss the chance to join your team. I refused to wait another second.”

“But why? I still don’t under-”

“I have the freedom to make my own choices, do I not? I wanted to join your team, so I did.”

His expression changes from smug to such a soft look. You have a hard time believing it is being directed at you.

“Why, yes, I may be the God of Freedom, but I’m also simply one of the many characters this game has to offer. I’m one of your many characters in particular. And out of such a colourful cast of individuals, I was your favourite. To be the reason someone even downloaded our game in the first place sends me over the moon. For everyone else, you still give their lives a purpose and have earned everyone’s respect. Sure, you might be a bit crass, but even when you were rude or made a mistake, you still treated everyone with more care than necessary. I especially could feel and hear the level of adoration you had for me through the screen. To me, there’s nothing I want more than to travel by your side for as long as you’ll have me.”

Such a heartwarming and earnest speech from Venti has your eyes start to water again. Not all of your insecurities and guilt have been lifted, you don’t think that kind of guilt will be something you can get rid of, but with Venti here…

“You’re allowed to stay for as long as you want.”

He cups your cheeks again while looking straight into your eyes.

“Then till death do we part, my dear player.”

You break down and cry as Venti pulls you in for a hug. With Venti by your side, you know he’ll help you through your guilt with as much care and love as you’ve given him.

[elliesmainhoe]

PLAYER TWO

Streamer!Ellie X fem!Reader

Summary: Ellie's introduces you to her stream

(Set early in their relationship and when Ellie's channel was still small 💙)

Contents: fluff, swearing/cursing, body shaming a cat lmao, sitting on Ellie's lap, kisses, references to social anxiety.

Part 2 - Part3

My Masterlist

It had been 6 hours since Ellie had disappeared into the abyss you called your guest bedroom and now Ellie's newly turned office. Her rooms grey walls were plastered in posters of a various games and bands she liked. LED lights ran around the ceiling, usually on the blue setting, sending the hue beaming out through the crack underneath the white paneled door.

Your small ginger cat was scratching irritably at her offices door. "Garfield stop it," you hissed at him, giggling at the ridiculous name Ellie chosen out for your chunky British shorthair.

"Garfield, I'm serious" you hushed at the creature, picking up the skittish chonk from Ellie's door. Garfield let out a loud, dramatic 'Yowww' throwing his head back. you sighed "You really want Ellie cuddles right now huh"

"meow"

"yeah, me too..." You looked at the beautifully majestic ginger chunk of a cat and sighed in pity for yourself. "Fine go in then..." You whispered at him, grabbing the brass handle and slowly nudging the wooden door ajar, letting Garfield scutter in enthusiastically, before shutting the door again.

Ellie was caught off guard as a fuzzy orange thing flung itself onto her lap, making her hands stop button smashing her keyboard angrily.

"Oh hey Garf"

User: Omg he's so cute 😭🥲

User1: Give me the baby. Now.

User2: Bro how did he get in here, didn't Ellie shut her door?

User3: Garf? As in garfield?

Ellie's hands grasped the cat turning him in a Simba like fashion towards the camera.

"This is Garfield, if you couldn't tell he has a super power to walk through walls" she joked, obviously realising that her chat was curious about how he got into the enclosed office.

User 4: He's fat

"Do not talk to my child that way." She snapped sarcastically, covering his ears with her palms "he's plump." She corrected before letting out a breathy laugh.

The cat began purring incredibly loudly, now laying across her keyboard vibrating the desk with every exhale of breath.

She picked up her phone discreetly, texting you a quick.

Ells: Gonna have to gaslight my chat into thinking our cat can phase through walls now.

Ells: Oh the things I do for you

You: He was being so annoying thoughhh

Ells: Garf is never annoying, he is perfect in everyway. You're just in denial.

You :🙄

User5: nah but how did it get in

User6: Ghostcat?!?!?

"Yes this is my ghost cat, it seems like he's going to chill with us for a bit.... Aren't you baby~?" she cooes at the purring creature scratching underneath his chin.

Just outside the closed office door, you were pacing back and forth. Shit... Why the fuck did you let the cat in her room, that was the stupidest shit you've ever done. Now everyone was going to know Ellie lived with someone. Then maybe they'll investigate, because some of her fans might be nutjobs. What if they dig something embarrassing up of you?!?

"shit, shit ,shit, shit, idiot, idiot, fucking idiot." Damn you and you're soft heart when it comes to cats.

"Y/N. Just forget it happened, go to bed sleep it off, yeah let's just... Sleep it off..." You mutter to yourself, sulking off to bed in defeat.

•••••

"Hey... Hey baby... Wake upppppp~~" she whines squishing your cheeks with her hand, stirring from your slumber. "Hmm hi Ells..."

At the confirmation you were awake she started peppering your face with kisses. "I made you coffee, I tried to make pancakes but I uh burnt them, so ughh toast?!" She smiles suspiciously giddy.

"oh thank you baby," you murmur back, slowly sitting up, back against the bed's backboard and begining to sip your coffee.

"I don't know how you can stomach that liquid, it tastes like shit."

"It is gross, but I can't physically function without it" you looked over at her, she was showing you puppy eyes. Suspicious.

"What did you do ells...?" You sighed

"Last night I may or may not have accidentally let it slip that uhh, I had a uh girlfriend." She stammered, smiling sheepishly at you " And I was wondering and you can obviously say no!! Like no pressure at all, but I was wondering if you feel ready yet to be introduced by my stream" she rushed out words practically incoherent, and if you didn't know her so we'll you wouldn't have been able to understand.

"you can even bring Garfield with you for emotional support!" She chirped happily.

"I don't know baby... I don't know if they'll like me, all my friends know me for being awkward on camera."

"Listen to me right now. You are the most amazing, beautiful, funny, charismatic and smartest girlfriend, person and mother to our fur baby to ever exist. If they don't absolutely love you then they're blind and have no taste. But they will absolutely love you! Because I love you!" She says enthusiastically, a stupid smile spread on her face as she wraps her arms around you, placing sloppy kisses onto your cheek.

"Pfft" you say, her enthusiasm and happiness seeping from her into yours "okay, I can do that...I think" "You will!!! You'll do amazing!" She squeals "I'm so excited!"

"Gosh, your like a puppy Ells" you chuckle, petting and playing with her hair. She let out a quiet 'hmph' as she nuzzled into your neck happily.

•••••

It was 6:55pm, Ellie had started her stream, the words 'STARTING SOON' sprawled across the monitor, blocking out the view of the viewers, It was unnerving, siting Infront of a camera, and one push of a button hundreds of people would see you. Ellie was sat next to you, swiveling on the dark blue gaming chair absentmindedly.

"y'know baby, you don't have to be so rigid, or quiet, they can't see or hear you yet."

"I can't do it Ells..." You mumbled out. "Hey babe, you absolutely can." she reassured you grabbing your hand, and squeezing it slightly. "How about this. You sit on the couch, out of view with Garfield, and once I've done the intro you can come say hi. Hows that sound?" She asked softly, tucking your hair behind your ear.

Nodding in conformation you shuffled out of view for the camera sitting next to your curled up cat, petting him as he purred loudly, pushing up against your palm. You tapped your phone screen, it lit up revealing the photo of you and Ellie in a photo booth on your first date to an arcade.

Infront of your smiling faces, the time was shown.

06:59:55

06:59:56

06:59:57

06:59:58

06:59:59

07:00:00

"Hey guysssss!"

It took ten minutes for Ellie to finish the introduction, answering questions, thanking donators and talking to moderators.

"Right so, before we start I have a suprise for you guys" she spoke happily, eyes flicking towards you expectantly. You picked up Garfield, your heart immediately slowed and cradled him like a baby in your arms as you entered the frame.

Ellie had moved the extra chair from the frame, trying to keep the suprise as unexpected as she could for her chat. You stood somewhat awkwardly for a second or two saying a quick "hi" to the camera, you looked at Ellie eyes slightly wide with nerves.

She pats her thigh, gesturing you to sit down. "This chat, is my girlfriend"

User7: I ❤️ lesbians

User8: Ugh I'm jealous.

User9: Is Ur gf single?

User10: forget Ellie I want her gf ����

Your eyes everted the chat, trying to focus solely on your cat and to not read the comments, when a robotic voice, you recognized as a donators announcement, caught you off guard.

User11 donated $25 'Bro she's so pretty.'

"Oh um thanks *user11*" you hummed. "Told you they would like you" Ellie said, smirking in content.

"shut up."

"never."

---------

Here you go!!! I finally finished it. It's not great but it's done!

Part Two

Streamer!Ellie Headcanons

NOT PROOFREAD

[kurishiri]

william v.s. darius . . . william rex epilogue 🌹

— this translation may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to characterization or narrative flow purposes. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost these or claim these as your own!

— cw: very suggestive scenes that are awkwardly translated. also i translated this at 1am; you've been warned lmao

Kate: So we’re going shopping!

William: That we are. It’s become less crowded now, which would make it the ideal time for window shopping, right?

W: Let’s choose something together. One that would suit you.

Unlike the lively buzz of the street fair, where many people had gathered,

here, we didn’t have to worry about our surroundings, so we could walk at our own pace.

(Will knew that, so he invited me here.)

(…And the fact I could spend time together with him like that was a delightful reward as well.)

William: That outfit looks charming. It seems like it would fit your air.

Kate: Wah, this looks wonderful! It goes well with the skirt next to it too.

I was happy at how we walked side by side as well, in a good mood, and——

Kate: …Could we hold hands?

William: What a coincidence. I was just thinking the same.

When his beautiful fingers touched mine, our fingers intertwined together.

Kate: Hehe, thank you.

I squeezed his hand back, when…

Kate: Ah.

As if being led away, my eyes stopped on something,

with that something being a crimson red ribbon that went with a dress that left quite an impression.

When William followed my gaze, he narrowed those red eyes.

William: Indeed, I can easily imagine you in that.

W: Then, this dress is for you.

—— Time skip; William’s room ——

Kate: …How does it look?

I tried on the dress that I had gotten as a present as soon as we returned.

In response, Will, who was sitting on the sofa, narrowed his eyes, making their way from the top of my head to my toes.

William: Would you mind spinning around for me?

Kate: Like this?

When I did as I was told, the crimson ribbon fluttered.

William: It does suit you.

Kate: Thank you. Then I’ll be wearing this on our next date.

I looked down at myself, biting down on the feeling that sprung from within me,

when I realized the way he was looking at me.

His gaze on me seemed to hold a bewitching smile,

and I felt a familiar twinge that had been locked within me resurface.

Kate: …Will.

I found myself drawn to him, until I stood right across.

Kate: I want you to kiss me.

William: ——Then come here, my robin.

With that invitation, I sat atop his legs, and when our faces drew together, close enough where I could feel his breath…

His hands caressed my cheeks.

Those eyes, the color of blood, held a hint of amusement.

Kate: …Don’t keep me in suspense like that.

William: Hehe, my apologies.

W: I simply wanted to see more of you being honest with your desires.

Becoming more excited with how his fingers teased my lips, I took his finger into my mouth. [1]

William: ……… [surprised]

W: Pfft, haha. It makes me happy that you’d like to have a taste of my fingers as well.

W: But then you won’t be able to kiss me like that, right?

Kate: Ah…

Withdrawing his thumb, half-open lips met with one impatient for a kiss.

Kate: Mn…

His tongue slipped in, giving me a numbing sensation as they playfully intertwined together——

And when he let go, he gave a small smile.

William: …You are free to decide what it is your heart seeks and what you would like to do.

Kate: …I know.

William: And perhaps your heart may change. Our feelings can’t be restricted, nor should they ever be.

W: Of course, not by others, and not even by ourselves.

Kate: …So that is to say,

K: I am free to do as my heart wants. And even in this very moment [2], I love you, Will.

William: Yes, I figured as much.

Kate: Huh?

William: Your heart is close to mine, and we are not separated in the slightest.

W: That is how my heart feels——at any moment in time.

Kate: Will…

My lover before my eyes seemed to always, no matter in which moment in time, take pleasure in unraveling what was in my heart.

Feeling this, I…

Kate: If we stack even these smallest moments… they can become an eternity.

William: …Indeed.

Our lips met once more, being fondled affectionately in my mouth.

William: And I would like to have a taste of you, to my heart’s content.

W: If it is as you say, and these small moments can become an eternity… I would like to embody it.

Kate: …Will…

When I kissed him, he sought me deeper.

William: Should we take it to the bed? Or…

Kate: …Haa… I want more… like this…

William: …I imagine it would be quite frustrating to move, after all.

With the ribbon of the dress undone, my chest relaxed [3].

As if the wrapping of the present was removed, my skin was now exposed,

and my nipples gave way to my desire.

William: …Kate.

With his lips calling my name, his tone filled with emotion, pleasure rushed through me.

William: Could I engrave my feelings in you?

He sucked on my breasts, leaving a mark as red as his eyes.

The throbbing in my core excited me and trickled within me,

and I welcomed his palm as it slid in——

While indulging in the sweet excitement he gave me, I tasted the pleasure of this small moment in time.

Fin.

will vs darius jude vs nica alfons vs ring

← prev fin

NOTES:

[1] I wasn’t sure how to phrase this; part of it may be like midnight or 1am translating, but I also wasn’t completely sure how to translate this part of the line [その指先をはむりと含んだ] (sono yubisaki wo hamuri to fukunda) as well. So I’m mostly kind of guessing based on the context of the lines that come after.

[2] Kate uses the word [刹那] (setsuna) here, which means a moment or instant, though this particular word, unlike another similar meaning word, [瞬間] (shunkan), [刹那] is derived from the Sanskrit word kshana, which in Buddhism refers to the “shortest possible interval of time.”

[3] They say here [胸元が緩む] (munamoto ga yurumu), where [胸元] refers to like the chest or breast area (but can also mean the solar plexus), while [緩む] means like to loosen, slacken, relax, that kind of thing, both for tangible things like parts of the body and intangible things like rules. I’m not really sure exactly how to translate this, but it’s probably referring to how a woman’s breasts are bare, without the support of anything like a bra.

END NOTES: the difference between will and darius' end was interesting, like how they both treated the boy. they're probably trying to hit home the differences between them... which darius seemed to pick up on. i wouldn't say i'm very good at translating william, per se, but i did enjoy his story as well, and just the way he spent time with kate and darius! i feel they highlighted a lot of characteristics of his here that i feel many would like, appreciate, or be drawn to.

full masterlist 🌹🪽

[fantasyescapes17]

Patience (Part 2, Final)

An elaborate charade- that is what your life has been for these past few years, and it has taken the help of more than one person to balance your delicate lies and secrets. Now entering your final season as an eligible young lady seeking wedded bliss, will you be able to keep up the act in order to achieve your dreams?

Genre: Choi Seungcheol x female!reader. Regency!AU (It's sort of Bridgerton-esque in the sense that I give zero attention to historical accuracy and prioritize aesthetics lmao) You are Jeonghan's sister so your last name is Yoon, but the reader has no other specific characteristics, physical or otherwise.

Word Count: 5.2k+

Part 1

Series Masterlist

The assembly rooms were crowded this evening. During the early days of London's season, much of the upper class was eager to gossip and speculate on which eligible young bachelors would finish the season with a ring on their finger.

Viscountess Hong's grip on your arm gave you some comfort. "I believe Seungcheol should be here already," she told you reassuringly. "The Viscount told me that he arrived in London earlier this afternoon… ah! There they are!"

A small group of men were gathered around a card table. You recognised many of them- including Mr. Kwon and Mr. Lee from the Grisham's ball a few days ago. 

But it was difficult to pay attention to other people at the card table when the man you were passionately in love with sat there and looked up at you with wide eyes. 

"Miss Yoon," Seungcheol said as he stood and came over to you without hesitation. There was a heavy pause. Multiple pairs of knowing eyes from the card table turned to watch you with interest. 

You swallowed your nerves and smiled. 

"Mr. Choi."

You shakily offered Seungcheol your hand and he did not hesitate to take it. He lifted it to his soft lips briefly- you longed more than anything to feel his lips against your skin, but your gloves and the watching eyes prevented you from pushing for anything more than this fleeting contact.  

"I am delighted- it has been a long time since I have had the pleasure of seeing you in person," he said breathily. Seungcheol stepped closer and lowered his voice so that only you (and perhaps the Viscountess beside you) could hear him. His dark eyes sparkled mischievously. "You look even more beautiful than I remember."

Your heart leapt. 

Seungcheol had always known how to make you speechless. 

“I- erm-” 

He stepped back again quickly. He was as conscious as you of the watching eyes. While those at the card table had been entrusted with the secret of your clandestine affair, it would not do to have any gossip-mongers catching wind of this. You were in love, but you were not young or foolish. There was too much at stake to be careless now. An uncontrolled display of affection would lead to a scandal- and was certainly not worth destroying the hard work of so many years. 

Viscountess Hong tightened her grip on your arm and turned to her husband. 

“Joshua- the dancing has not yet begun. Shall we take a turn about the gardens? I would like for my dear friend Miss Yoon to accompany us. And Mr. Choi, you look rather flushed. Perhaps you had best join us for a breath of fresh air as well.” 

You bit back a smile. Viscountess Hong was not only very clever, but was proving to be an invaluable friend. You wondered how you would repay her. 

Viscount Hong nodded at his wife. “Of course, my dear.” 

You tried to stay calm as the Viscountess led you along with the two gentlemen out to the gardens. It was late evening- hopefully the approaching dusk would make it harder for your group to be spotted. In any case, the presence of the Viscount and Viscountess as chaperones gave your little venture an innocent appearance. 

The Viscountess was speaking to you pleasantly about the upcoming ball that she and Viscount Hong would be hosting the coming week while your group turned about the walking path in the gardens. She led you to a small but thick copse of trees and glanced around furtively before stopping in her tracks and dropping her sweet smile. 

“Well. We finally appear to be alone. If you walk a little farther you will reach a dead end hidden by bushes. Joshua and I will sit on this bench- nobody will be able to reach you unless they cross us and we shall divert them.” 

You stared at her. 

“I… are you sure it is safe?” you asked hesitantly. “If someone were to see us without you...” 

Viscount Hong exchanged an uncharacteristically mischievous glance with his wife. “It is safe. You can trust us. Go,” he reassured his friends. 

Seungcheol thanked him with a quick nod before disappearing further into the trees and you followed your lover eagerly until the Hongs were just out of sight. The trees brought the path to an end and Seungcheol turned to face you with a soft smile. 

“My love…” 

It appeared your thoughts were aligned. Seungcheol reached for your hands and expertly slid your gloves off in one fluid motion before bringing your bare hands up to his warm, familiar lips. He kissed the back of your hand, your knuckles, your palm, the tips of your fingers- over and over again until you finally twisted your hand and used it to cup his cheek.

“I’ve missed you,” you whispered. 

Seungcheol’s eyes closed as your hands gently caressed the side of his face, and he leaned into your touch eagerly. 

“I have missed you too. More than you can imagine,” he replied with a chuckle. “I am afraid Jeonghan has grown tired of me asking about you. But I cannot help it- hearing the sound of your name has been my only solace for the past many months. How have you been, my love?”

Your heart fluttered. My love. You loved hearing the passionate endearment from his lips. Seungcheol’s dark eyes opened and met yours with an expression of soft adoration that he reserved only for you. 

“As well as I can be, considering the circumstances,” you told him pleasantly. 

Seungcheol smiled and raised an eyebrow. “And what circumstances would those be?”

“The circumstances which keep me apart from you. My mother has promised that Mina will make her debut in society next season. I am confident that she will immediately become the centre of attention and Mother may finally admit that I have no other prospects- then she may be delighted at the thought of me marrying you, despite…” you trailed off hesitantly, realising that you had begun the sentence in a manner which made it difficult to complete. 

“Despite my being a father and widower,” Seungcheol finished for you plainly. 

You avoided his gaze. “Seungcheol, you must not-” 

“My love, please. I am certainly not ignorant of the reasons we keep our affections secret. Your mother is not the only one who knows that you could do far, far better than me in matrimony. You are young and beautiful. You deserve to marry a man who can devote himself to you. You will not hurt my feelings by saying so. Indeed, you insult me by pretending that is not the case. Do not forget that I have received from Jeonghan a list of the numerous men that have sought your hand over the past three years.” 

You looked up at him softly. “None of them could compare to you.” 

Seungcheol covered your hand on his cheek with his own. “Sometimes I wonder if you deceive yourself.” 

You bit back a playful smile. “I have often wondered the same- that perhaps you have cast some terrible spell on me to make me love you so. But then I remember that Jeonghan would never have encouraged our courtship if he did not think you were the perfect match for me. And I trust my brother’s judgement almost as much as my own.” 

“Perhaps you should not trust him. What is this I hear about your dowry?” 

“Oh- it is another lie. I thought it would ward off the fortune hunters, but I am afraid it has made Jeonghan look like quite the villain. He is not pleased. Hopefully he will be able to redeem himself in society soon,” you explained. “I owe him so much.”

“As do I.”

You took a deep breath and then removed your hand from Seungcheol’s face, choosing instead to clasp both his warm hands in yours. “How is Jiwoo? I have not seen him in many months. He must have grown so much.” 

Seungcheol smiled again, as he always did at the mention of his young son. “He has grown. He remembers you well and asks about you frequently. The only reason he allowed me to depart for London this morning is because I promised to bring back a letter from you.” 

“I will write one immediately,” you promised. 

“I have often wondered whether I should ask him how he would feel if you became a part of our family,” Seungcheol admitted gently. “Perhaps…. it is because I am sure that he would be delighted at the idea that I have not asked. I do not want to disappoint him if things do not turn out as we expect.” 

“Why wouldn’t things turn out as we expect?” 

“Because, my love, we are not formally engaged and if you should finally come to your senses and decide that you want a better life for yourself than marrying a widower with a son… I would not want you to deny yourself for fear of hurting Jiwoo or me.” 

You sighed. “That will not happen. We have had this conversation before, Seungcheol, so many times, and I have always told you-” 

“I know, my love. I know. But the only reason you don’t receive five or six offers a year is because your brother goes to great lengths to prevent them, and-” 

“It is because I go to great lengths to prevent them!” you insisted hotly. “Do you think I take this lightly, Seungcheol? Do you think I have thrown away my most eligible and crucial years in society on a whim? This-this entire charade, this act, all the lies- these are all because I love you and I want nothing more in this world than to be your wife one day. I want nothing more than to be able to stand up in society and call you my husband with pride. Do you not believe me when I say these things?” 

Seungcheol lifted his hand to your face gently. “My love…” 

“Well?” 

“Of course I believe you. And I love you. Forgive me.” 

Your brief burst of anger melted away. “We are closer than ever to having what we’ve dreamed of. Please don’t-” 

You were interrupted by a sudden rustling in the bushes. You and Seungcheol jumped apart only to be relieved when only Viscountess Hong appeared. She looked apologetic. 

“I’m afraid some other people have decided to take a turn about the gardens. We may be joined by company in a few moments. I hate to interrupt, but…” 

“Of course,” Seungcheol replied as he dropped your hand and quickly ran a hand over his face. You composed yourself as well and took the arm that the Viscountess offered you. “We should return to the assembly rooms. I am sure the dancing has begun.” 

You walked back with Viscountess Hong, allowing Seungcheol and Viscount Hong to walk ahead. The Viscountess gave you a teasing smile. 

“Had a pleasant conversation?” she asked lightly. 

You smiled at her gratefully. “I don’t know how I shall ever thank you.” 

 “I thought perhaps you may like to name your first child after me….”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You indulged in only one dance with Seungcheol that evening. Any more would certainly warrant suspicion, and you took care to dance with Mr. Kwon Soonyoung and Mr. Lee Seokmin immediately afterwards to ensure that it did not appear as though you were paying any special attention to Seungcheol. Then you retreated to the card tables where you could converse with your lover in a low voice, easily drowned out by the noisy laughter of his friends. 

“I wish this evening would never end,” you whispered to Seungcheol as you pretended to concentrate on your cards. You were not even sure what the card game being played was. Presumably, you were losing money.  “How much longer shall you be in London?” 

Seungcheol’s eyes darted towards you, not allowing them to linger on your face for too long. “Only a few days. I shall probably stay until the Hongs’ ball on Monday- then I will need to return home. You know that Jiwoo cannot be apart from me for long.” 

You smiled. “A feeling he and I share.” 

Seungcheol returned your smile. “Yes, but you do not have the privilege of throwing tantrums and taking out your anger on your governesses. I fear his teenage years dreadfully.”

“Let the poor boy enjoy his childhood. Jeonghan has told me stories of your youth. I know that you were no angel when you were his age,” you said with a small giggle. “Yet you have grown into a gentleman. Jiwoo certainly will too.” 

“Unless you come around and spoil him.” 

You bit back a smile behind your cards. “I might.” 

Seungcheol smiled and turned his attention back to the game as his turn came around. You looked around the room. You had not seen your brother all evening. You expected Jeonghan to be here. He was close friends with Seungcheol, after all, and surely had nothing else to do in London this evening. Perhaps he was tired of company. 

You had just set down your cards, deciding that you were losing too much money to justify continuing this game when the Viscountess approached your chair and bent down near you. 

“Miss Yoon. I am extremely sorry to have to interrupt your evening, but I am afraid I am quite exhausted and must leave for home,” she told you gently.  

You looked up at her in surprise. “Oh- of course. Are you unwell?” 

“Not at all. But my feet have been hurting for some time and I unfortunately as your chaperone, I cannot leave you behind here. The carriage is waiting outside” 

“Of course. I understand. We shall leave at once,” you promised her. You turned to look at Seungcheol who had been listening to your conversation and gave him a longing smile. “You will be at the Hongs’ ball on Monday, you promise?” 

Seungcheol smiled. “I have already accepted the invitation. I shall see you there, my love.” 

—-----------------------------------------

“You smile too much in his presence,” your mother scolded you in a hushed voice. “Try not to expose yourself. We may not be in London but there are still enough people around to misunderstand your intentions and spread rumours.” 

You bit back your smile. It was already the third week of your stay at the Choi estate. Little Jiwoo had announced that he wanted to have a picnic by the river and it being a warm spring afternoon, the rest of the household was in agreement. The Yoons and the Chois had set off, with neatly packed picnic baskets and blankets to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. 

“Would it be so very bad, mother?” you wondered innocently. 

Your mother looked horrified. “What? Good heavens, child, what can you be thinking?” 

Seungcheol was playing a lively game of catch with Mina and little Jiwoo on the grass a short distance away. He was incredibly patient with both of them. He made sure to throw the ball gently to Jiwoo, and offered Mina praise whenever she did well. Seungcheol’s bright smile and tousled hair shone in the soft sunlight, making it difficult to keep your eyes off him. 

Choi Seungcheol was the most perfect man you had ever met. 

You tried not to blush. “I only mean… we know Mr. Choi well, He is the same age as Jeonghan, and has been friends with him for many years. He is rich. He has a large estate, he is a gentleman and he has been so kind to us during our stay here…” 

Your mother stared at you. “Are you a fool? He is a widower. He has a son.” 

“Why should that matter? I don’t understand, mother.” 

“You are too young, child. You do not comprehend the dangers of being a second wife. Mr. Choi already has an heir; an heir to whom you are not the mother. Even if you have further children with him, they will not be the ones to inherit his estate. If Mr Choi should die- as men often do- you will be at the mercy of that boy who may cast you out of the house and onto the street. Do you think he will have much love for his stepmother? You are a woman. Your future happiness and security relies on securing a position that nobody can question, a position that is not so precarious.” 

You looked at your mother quietly. “Do you consider your own position so precarious, mother?” 

“It was different for me,” she said dismissively.  

“How was it different?” 

“I was not as young as you. I was not as pretty as you. I was not as rich as you. I took the best position I could find and I am lucky your father was kind to me while he was alive. But you deserve better. You are one of the most desirable young women in society and you have no need to… to settle for someone like Mr. Choi.” 

You looked down at your hands. “I see.” 

“Trust me, my dear. Once we arrive in London next season and all the handsome young men begin vying for your hand, you will understand that you could do much, much better than Mr. Choi. I promise you.” 

You turned away. Seungcheol had just caught a ball that Mina threw at him clumsily and as he turned his head in your direction, your eyes met. He gave you a warm, lopsided smile and brushed his dark hair out of his eyes before gesturing for you to join them. 

“Miss Yoon! You should join our game- your sister Mina says you are a terrible catch and you must prove her wrong,” he called out to you cheerfully. 

You laughed. “I am afraid Mina is quite right!” 

“Then perhaps Jiwoo can teach you how to catch!” 

You glanced at your mother for permission. She looked displeased but made no move to prevent you from joining their lively game. You quickly brushed off your skirts and walked over to little Jiwoo, who looked up at you with a big gummy smile that resembled his father’s. 

“I’m afraid that I do not know how to play. Will you teach me, Jiwoo?” you requested. 

Jiwoo nodded shyly. “Of course, Miss Yoon!” 

You looked up and your eyes met Seungcheol’s once again. He was watching you with a quiet, admiring look in his eyes that made it difficult not to blush. Your mother was right about some things. Perhaps you did smile too much in Mr Choi’s presence, and perhaps you were too enamoured with the handsome widower. Maybe, just maybe, he was a little too taken by you as well. 

But she was wrong about one thing. 

You would not be settling if you married Mr. Choi Seungcheol for love. 

—-------------------------------------------------

The Hongs’ carriage stopped outside your London abode and you bid farewell to your friends before rushing up the front stairs. A manservant opened the door for you. When you entered the lobby, you realised immediately that something was quite wrong. 

One of your mother’s ladies maids looked distressed and cried out when she saw you. 

“Miss Yoon! Oh, you must come quickly, your mother is in such an uproar!” she cried. 

Your heart sank. “What…” 

There was a loud crashing noise from the adjoining dining room and you could hear the muffled sounds of your mother yelling. You ran as fast as your heavy gown would allow and threw the door open just in time to see your mother throw a porcelain plate straight at Jeonghan’s head. He managed to dodge it and the plate hit the wall behind him before shattering to pieces. 

“Madam, please!” Jeonghan yelled desperately. 

You ran to your mother and grabbed her hand before she could reach for another plate. “Mother!” you cried. “Stop it, what are you doing? You’ll hurt him!”

Your mother turned to you, her face red and eyes wild. “What else shall I do? Do you know what that boy has done? He has proposed to Mr. Jeon’s daughter! After blatantly stealing your dowry and ruining your prospects and driving away your suitors, he has the nerve- the audacity- to marry and next he will throw us out of our home! How dare he? After all I’ve done for him since he was a child-” 

You seized your mother’s arms. “Mother, please, there must be some explanation-” 

“Ask him! Ask him- he is responsible for our current state!” she screamed. 

You looked at Jeonghan. Your brother had turned to face the wall and was pressing his fingers to his temple. He looked stressed, and your heart sank in your stomach. This was your fault. Jeonghan was taking this abuse from your mother solely for your sake and it struck you how selfish you had been. 

“Mother, sit down,” you told her gently. “Let us talk about this-” 

She huffed. “I will not sit down! I am going to take our carriage straight to the Jeons’ manor and inform Mr. Jeon the precise nature of the villain that he is about to promise his daughter to! After destroying so many of your prospects I don’t see why he should be allowed to happily marry whomever he pleases!” 

Jeonghan turned and looked at your mother, alarmed. This was the first you had heard of Jeonghan courting anyone, much less proposing to Miss Jeon,  but that was a discussion for a later time. It was clear from your brother’s expression that the idea of your mother going anywhere near the Jeons’ home absolutely horrified him. 

“Mother, you will do no such thing,” you told her firmly. “Jeonghan has not taken my dowry.” 

“What?” 

“I asked him to lie. The dowry money is safe and Jeonghan has promised he will give the full amount to me when I am married- only… only I have already decided who I wish to marry, mother.” 

Your mother looked bewildered. 

“I don’t understand. You have not received any proposals this season.” 

Your lower lip trembled. It was difficult to reveal the secret that you had kept hidden from her for so long- almost as much for her sake as your own because you knew how she felt about Seungcheol. You knew that her disapproval of him stemmed not from any ill will towards him, but from her own insecurities and her love for you. 

But it was not right to allow Jeonghan to bear the brunt of your problems any longer. 

Somebody would be hurt tonight. Perhaps it was best for it to be you. 

“Mother, I have been courting Mr. Choi Seungcheol for the past three years.” 

Your mother stared at you in horror- she looked disbelieving for a moment but then a sudden understanding dawned behind her eyes. Her knees trembled and you kept a grip on her arm as she pulled out one of the dining room chairs and sat down shakily. She looked up at you with disdain. 

“I warned you about Mr. Choi. He is a widower! He has a son!” she cried. 

“I know,” you whispered. 

“You know nothing! You are a fool! Is this the reason you have turned down multiple proposals over the last three years? I wondered why all those eligible men never-but- for heaven’s sake,” her fingers gripped the tablecloth in rage as she stared at you. “To go so far as to destroy your own prospects?” 

“I thought… if my prospects were not quite so attractive….” 

Your mother whirled around to face Jeonghan. “And you! Did it not occur to you to talk your sister out of this damnable courtship instead of encouraging her foolishness and enabling it?” she demanded. 

“Mother, you cannot blame Jeonghan for everything-” 

“Why not? He is the man of this household, he is responsible for safeguarding the virtue of his sisters-” 

Jeonghan sighed and let his shoulders slump forward with exhaustion. “Madam. My sister's virtue is perfectly safe. But believe me when I say that she could hardly find a man more trustworthy or devoted to her than Mr. Choi."

Your mother looked more and more distressed as she realised that this was serious, that you and Jeonghan and Mr. Choi had been keeping up this charade for years now. She slumped against the chair and looked up at you with a defeated expression. 

"You are making a mistake," she whispered. 

You blinked back your tears. "Mother, I love him. And I love you as well. I know you have my best interests at heart, but please. Please allow me to make this decision for myself."

"He has a son-"

"A son whom I will love as my own."

She shook her head. "You are a fool. You are a blubbering fool, you will destroy your younger sister's prospects if you insist on making this unseemly match-"

"Then I will wait. I will wait until Mina comes out in society and is married, and only then will Seungcheol and I marry."

"That could be years."

"I have already waited three years. A few more will not kill me."

Your mother looked at you with an unreadable expression and then clenched her fists before standing up. She seemed to have reached some form of silent resignation. “Well. If you have arranged everything for yourself then I hardly see why my presence is required here. I shall retire for the evening. Do not follow me.” 

Your mother stood and left. You were left alone with Jeonghan in the large dining room. Your knees felt weak- it was incredibly painful to be forced to reveal years of deception to your mother, but at the same time you felt as though an enormous burden had been lifted off your shoulders. You looked up at your brother shakily. 

“Jeonghan…” 

“Well, it is what it is,” he told you gently. “She had to find out someday.” 

“Not like this.” 

“Go to bed, sister. You must be tired. We will speak in the morning.” 

You swallowed and nodded. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------

The sunlight streaming through the sheer curtains woke you the next morning- you had slept fitfully all night and had a headache. One of the maids came into the room and hurried to your bedside. 

“Miss Yoon- you must awaken! Mr. Choi Seungcheol has come to call unannounced this morning, and he is sitting in the breakfast parlour with your mother and brother!” she insisted. 

You sat up. 

“What?” 

“Hurry- you must dress!” 

You felt light-headed and allowed the maid to quickly help you dress and make you presentable. Once you had composed yourself you hurried down to the breakfast parlour, where you found your mother and brother just finishing their breakfast- and Mr. Choi Seungcheol sitting at the table with a cup of tea in front of him. 

You swallowed nervously. “Mr. Choi-Seungcheol- what… what are you doing here?” 

Seungcheol gave you a gentle smile but it was your mother who spoke up. 

“He came to seek my blessing to make you an offer,” she told you tightly, while tearing some of the crust off her toast. “I will not pretend I am happy about this. I have put far too much effort to let you throw yourself away and marry beneath you. But considering how long you lot have kept up this charade and how many men you have already refused, I am no longer confident in my ability to persuade you to marry another man.” 

Your heart leapt. “Mother…” 

“You will not marry now,” she ordered firmly. “You will be quiet and announce your engagement only after Mina is wed. I won’t have your foolish decisions destroying your younger sister’s prospects. She deserves the best she can have.” 

You nodded. “Of-of course.” 

“And Jeonghan, you will immediately correct any misconceptions the ton may have about the dowry your sisters are to receive.”

Jeonghan smiled. “Of course, madam.” 

“Then,” your mother replied as she dropped her toast back onto her plate and rose from the table. “It is settled. I will count on your continued discretion, Mr. Choi. I will not have my daughter’s honour questioned and I trust you will not take unnecessary risks or liberties until I have secured a husband for my younger daughter.” 

Seungcheol stood calmly and bowed his head. “You have my word, madam.” 

Your mother left the room before you could stop her. Jeonghan stood as well, and gave you a gentle smile and a reassuring pat on the arm before leaving the room so that you could be alone with Seungcheol. Your lover came towards you and took your hand. His dark eyes met yours hesitantly.  

“Perhaps that could have gone better- but I imagine it also could have gone much, much worse,” he admitted.  

You bit your lip as you looked up at him. “How did you know?” 

“Jeonghan sent word of what occured last night. I thought it was about time I stopped hiding behind this clandestine affair like a child and brought myself to face your mother. She is not wrong to have her fears, my love. I thought it was my responsibility to try and convince her that her daughter would be safe and loved with me.” 

“I… I….” 

“It’s all right, darling. Come here.” 

Seungcheol took you into his embrace. His strong arms encircled you firmly and you pressed your cheek to the soft fabric of his coat. This sort of intimate touch was rare, and as you wrapped your arms around him you realised that you were one step closer to becoming his wife, to being able to embrace him and feel him close to you like this every single day. 

Seungcheol leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to your hair. 

“I am sorry that we must wait longer,” he said to you gently. “I know it has already been so long. But your mother is right, we should not do anything that would jeopardise Mina’s debut in society next year. Your sister deserves the very best.” 

You nodded into his shoulder. “I know.” 

“Can you wait for me a little longer, my love?” 

“You are lucky,” you told him with a smile as you looked up into your handsome lover’s dark, smouldering eyes, “that patience is not a virtue I lack.” 

“I love you, my darling.” 

“And I you.” 

Seungcheol brought his hand to your chin and tilted your head up before pressing a soft, chaste kiss to your lips. It was more than you had ever dared to do before- but in the safety of your home with no fear of being seen, it was a liberty that Seungcheol could not resist taking. You closed your eyes and let out a soft sigh against his lips. 

“Do you mean to steal my virtue before we are even formally engaged, Mr. Choi?” you teased him lightly as he pulled back, his dark eyes still focused on your soft lips. 

Seungcheol smiled. “I suppose I shall try to make do with the heart I have stolen for now.” 

You smiled and embraced him once more. 

It would not be easy, you thought to yourself as you melted into his arms. But you would wait as long as you had to, for a chance at a lifetime with Choi Seungcheol.

---------------------------------------

A/N: Thanks to anyone who made it this far reading! I know this wasn't totally complete (in the sense it didn't go all the way up to their getting married) but I'm thinking of maybe showing that in a spin-off story through the eyes of another character? Does anyone want to see what Jeonghan's been hiding behind the scenes here, or maybe experience this world through the eyes of either Mina or Mrs. Hong? (or just a totally different member that didn't show up here?) Feel free to hit me with thoughts.

[oreowooyoung]

pirate!jongho x stowaway fem!reader drabble

warnings: mentions of blood & injuries

rating: 14+

note: i’ve never seen a specific pirate jongho fic written and i thought why not try and write smth myself :,D idk if this is actually good i kinda just threw words down and hoped for the best lmao… i’m not super good at writing lol- all and any feedback would be appreciated <3 if enough people enjoy it i might continue it :3 (i know i left at an awkward spot ;-;) so plz let me know what you think <33

do not copy, translate, steal, or revise my writing!!

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

your head spun. you were dizzy and your vision was blurred. everything hurt. you knew you should probably try and stop the blood coming from the sword cut on your arm, but you were just so tired. you were in a safe enough spot. (as safe as you can be stowed away in an unknown vessel) you were hidden between two large crates with a rough cloth you had found covering your body. i’ll just rest my eyes for a moment… you thought to yourself taking deep breaths to try and calm your thundering heart. that moment turned to a few hours. 

-

you woke to the sound of heavy footsteps coming down the ladder that leads into the room you’re in. the one you fell down trying to get down earlier that day. earlier that day or yesterday… you can’t remember… everything just feels so fuzzy. you try to keep your breathing quiet as you hear the footsteps get closer. you shift slightly and barely keep down the cry that builds in your throat from moving. everything hurts and it just the smallest move made you want to go back to sleep that instant.

 “can you check how full the water barrels are? im gonna check the crates” a man’s voice asked, it was deep but soft and if you weren’t in the situation you are in you might’ve wanted to hear him talk on and on. the footsteps came closer to your hiding spot and u held your breath hoping he’d not look to closely and see you. “yah the extra blankets fell again” he mumbled to himself, annoyed, as he grabbed the rough cloth off and revealed your hiding spot. “WOOYOUNG! COME HERE NOW” the man yelled as he grabbed your arm pulling you out from where u had been sitting. you were unable to hide your cry of pain when he pulled you to stand. you barely could, the world was spinning and your knees almost buckled after putting weight on your right foot. the other man, wooyoung, ran over quickly after hearing him call. “what the hell jongho-“ he stopped himself after seeing you. you were sure you looked terrible, probably covered in blood and barely able to stand on your own.  “looks like we’ve got ourselves a stowaway.” jongho said. “and a girl too” wooyoung added. your heart felt like it was about to fly out of your chest, you hands were shaking and you tried to control your breathing “m’sorry-“ you rasped out, your voice scratchy and strained from little use. you whimpered in pain when jongho started to pull you towards the ladder that led out of the storage room. wooyoung was just watching, shocked. “come on woo, she’s obviously injured and we need to take her to captain.”

[callsign-rogueone]

part of the family - d.a.

Dain Aetos x marked!reader The marked ones have been your only family since your parents were executed — until now. [request] words: 3.7k 🏷: IRON FLAME SPOILERS. she/her afab reader in an established (but secret) relationship with Dain, descriptions of fainting and loss of vision, talk of contraceptives, periods, and pregnancy, you love Dain but he still has his problems (you’ll see), featuring bestie Bodhi (who is the captain of this ship lmao) and older (foster) bro Garrick. went totally overboard on this one but like. girl dad dain 🥺🥰

You slip into the meeting quietly, pressing yourself against the wall -- most assembly gatherings are open to any who wish to attend, but you’d rather them not know you’re here. 

Xaden stands before the elders, in the thick of an argument that is very obviously about Dain.

“He’s clearly here as a spy. Why else would he side with us?”

You can’t hold back your response. “Because I showed him everything. Resson, Liam, the wyvern, the fliers, the dagger drops… all of it.”

So much for staying incognito. All heads turn to you, different emotions on their faces. Xaden looks as if you’ve stabbed him. Two of the elders look like they want to kill you where you stand. You can’t quite read the look on Brennan’s face. 

“I say we confine her with him,” one says, eyeing you with contempt. “She is clearly a danger to the movement, if she was willing to take such a risk.”

You step forward to address them properly. “It was a calculated risk,” you say carefully. “Of all the marked Tyrrish, I am the one he trusts most. And I was prepared to kill him, had he not changed his mind about us.”

“Does he know that?” Xaden asks.

“No,” you answer, ashamed. You still don’t know if you could have gone through with it — could have lifted the dagger you’d held behind your back while he watched the last year’s events through your eyes and struck true, stopped the heart of the man you love.

Acid rises in your throat at the thought. You swallow it back down, continuing. “He may have hurt us in the past, but he was not raised as we were. A hundred others we brought with us can attest to the history that he was taught, the side of the story he was led to believe until I showed him otherwise.”

The assembly is silent.

You lower your head, unable to look at them. “Lock me up if you wish, kill me if you must. All I ask is that you spare his life.”

Brennan is the first to soften — he knows Dain, regarded him as a younger brother for years. That and the fact that you’re willing to die for the boy is evidence enough for him. “Very well. He may join the rest of us and keep his position as wingleader.”

Nobody dares to disagree with him.

“Thank you,” you say quietly. You bow to them, taking your leave.

It’s easy enough to swipe a plate of food from the kitchens, carrying it up to the room Dain has been locked in all weekend. The guard posted outside sees the mark on your arm, letting you enter without question. 

At least two people in this fortress still trust you.

Dain’s head snaps up when the door opens, visibly relaxing as he sees it’s you.

You set the plate aside, moving to embrace him for the first time in days.

“Hi, my love,” he says softly, wrapping his arms around you.

“Hi,” you sniff, eyes watering.

You had told the assembly that you were prepared to kill him, but now that you’re in his arms, you know that you could never do anything to hurt him, no matter what he had decided.

Your tears are falling steadily now — you’ve cried nearly every day these last few weeks, constantly overwhelmed with emotion. You climb into his lap, needing him close. 

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he soothes, resting his hand on the side of your neck and stroking his thumb over your pulse. This is the closest he’ll come to touching your face since the night he discovered his signet — save for the other day, when you’d taken his hand in yours and pressed it to your cheek, showing him everything.

You’d cracked open your heart for him, spread it onto the table and let him see it all, and he had stood and watched, seen the other side of the story. It had hurt him then, to realize that you’d hidden all of this from him for almost two years, but the warm saltwater dripping onto his hand had snapped him out of it quickly.

He wants to dry your tears again now, to brush them away with a gentle sweep of his finger, but he won’t cross that line with you again. He can’t.

“I love you,” he says softly.

“I love you too,” you answer, rubbing at your eyes with the back of your hand.

He shushes you softly, holding you closer. There’s a moment of calm quiet, the two of you just breathing each other in.

“I told them,” you say in a cracked whisper, unable to keep it from him any longer. “I told the assembly that I showed you everything.”

His eyes widen. “Why did you…?”

“I couldn’t stand silent while they talked about you that way. I convinced them that you are truly our ally, that it wasn’t your fault that you were taught only one side of the story.”

He leans down to rest his forehead against yours, your noses brushing. “Thank you.”

“Thank you,” you reply. “For doing the right thing. I don’t think I could have bared to leave without you.”

He smiles softly. “I would follow you anywhere, my love.”

-------------------------------------------------------

You are so sick of this hike, and you aren’t even halfway done. For team-building, the leadership had said. Yeah, right. You feel like you’ve been herding a pack of wild animals all morning.

“If we press on for twenty minutes, there’s another flat section,” Bodhi explains, showing you the map that Brennan had given you.

You can’t hear the rest of his explanation through the ringing in your ears, the map blurring at the edges. You blink rapidly, trying to clear your vision, but it’s no use — the tiny black spots won’t go away.

“Hey,” Bodhi prods, waving a hand, “are you hearing me?”

“Give me a minute,” you pant, reaching out to touch the wall of rock behind you. Your legs feel too heavy, your upper body too light — your heart is racing, but the beats feel too shallow. 

Something is wrong.

“You should sit,” he and your dragon offer at once.

You shift your left leg, moving to lower yourself to the ground, and the black spots grow until you can’t see anything. You lose the last of your balance, crumpling into the dirt.

Bodhi stops your head from hitting the rocks just in time.

-------------------------------------------------------

You don’t remember how you got here, nor much of the physical exam; don’t know if it took five minutes or an hour, but the healer is incredibly gentle with you; speaking softly, giving you water to drink and medicine to take, encouraging you to rest.

You shut your eyes, but you can’t bring yourself to sleep, not when the rest of your friends are still out climbing that mountain, crossing a trail littered with death traps. 

“They’re doing just fine,” Cosa soothes. “They’ll be back faster if you sleep.”

You feel much better when you wake up. 

The sun is starting to set. You must have been out for hours.

The healer comes back a few minutes later with Dain in tow. You reach for him instantly, relieved to see him in one piece. He stands at the side of the bed, wrapping an arm around you and letting you lean into his side.

“It could be a circulation issue, but since it hasn’t happened before, I’d say it was likely just dehydration and overexertion,” the healer explains.

That’s probably it. You were too busy making sure your section was moving quickly enough, that they were avoiding the traps and staying out of trouble. You’d spent your two rest breaks preventing the riders and fliers from coming to blows, having to physically restrain one of the first-years. Your jaw still aches from where you’d taken an elbow to the face in the process.

“There’s another thing,” she says, hesitating as she looks between you and Dain, appearing to debate if she can say this in front of him -- whatever it is, it clearly isn’t good.

Dain takes your hand in his, intertwining your fingers and looking up at her, waiting.

You nod in permission.

She overcomes her nerves, spitting it out. “You’re… expecting.”

The air in the room stills completely as you take in the information, the soft tick of the clock on the wall the only indication that time hasn’t frozen solid.

“I’ll give you two a minute,” she says quietly, darting out of the room and shutting the door behind her.

You still haven’t moved. You’ve forgotten how to speak.

“Breathe, love,” Dain soothes, rubbing your back. The warmth of his hand brings you out of your stunned haze.

You take in a lungful of air, letting it out slowly.

There’s no denying it, no pleading innocence or wondering how this could have possibly happened — it makes total sense, even through your dull headache and the fog still clouding your mind.

You’ve spent two nights a week in his bed for the last year and a half, and you haven’t had one cup of contraceptive tea since you arrived at Riorson house, or in the month before that either — you’d been out in the field every weekend for your third-year classes.

You’d missed a period or two, but you had chalked it up to the stress of your responsibilities as a section leader and the final straws that had led half the quadrant to desert with you. It would definitely not have been the first time that Basgiath had messed with your cycle; hardly any of the girls in your year got their period until after Threshing.

“Talk to me,” Dain coaxes quietly, looking at you with softness in his eyes.

“Why are you not freaking out right now?” You ask after a moment.

He manages a soft laugh. “I am, but I know you are too, and I’m more worried about you right now.”

You blow out a breath. “I don’t know how we’re gonna do this. None of our friends have kids. My parents are dead, and yours…”

“Have probably already disowned me for being here,” he finishes for you, shrugging, but you can tell it hurts.

“I’m so sorry,” you whisper, guilt tugging at you. Had he stayed behind, he would have been able to keep them, he’d still have the thing you’ve desired most for six years now.

But then you’d be completely alone in raising this child.

The thought sends a sharp spike of fear into your chest. You’ve already lost so many friends in your two years at Basgiath, and you’re headed straight for a war, fighting against dark magic that none of you really understand. What if Dain doesn’t make it through?

“We’ll figure it out,” he reassures you, “together.”

-------------------------------------------------------

Dain doesn’t leave your side all night, keeping one hand on you whenever he can. He treats you like a princess, going so far as to kneel down to lace your boots for you in the morning, despite your quiet insistence that you could do it yourself.

You’re prepared to resume your usual routine; strict professionalism by day, gentle words and soft touches after dark, but he takes your hand, walking down the hall with you to the mess for breakfast.

You get shocked looks from a few of your classmates, but it’s nice being able to be seen with him for once instead of keeping the two of you a secret. Not that you’d be able to for very much longer, anyway — two is quickly going to become three.

It takes all of five minutes for your friends to spot you.

“I called it!” Bodhi exclaims, elbowing Imogen.

“I already knew,” Imogen says, unamused.

You’re deathly still, heart racing. 

Dain rests a hand on your lower back as he speaks. “Knew what?”

“About you two hooking up. Do you have any idea how many times you idiots have shown up to morning formation with your shoes untied, wearing each other’s knives?”

You laugh at her bluntness — you thought you’d been slick, always arriving to class five minutes apart and from different directions, avoiding eye contact at all costs… evidently not.

“You two look good together,” Bodhi decides. “It’s weird, but it’s cute.”

You sigh in relief. Bodhi is the one that you knew you could count on to be nice about this; the one you’ve wanted to tell about you and Dain for months now.

Dain blinks. “Why are you guys being so chill right now?”

“Do you not want me to be chill?” Imogen challenges, raising an eyebrow.

“No, I just… I was expecting the shovel talk. You know, the whole “I’ve got a sword and a shovel and I know how to use both” thing?”

“Oh, that’s Garrick’s job,” she supplies, almost too cheerfully. “And I think he’ll be a little more detailed than that.”

Dain pales, realizing that your foster brother likely won’t be as calm about this as your friends — and that there’s another very important thing that you’ll have to tell him, too.

You laugh, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Don’t worry, love. I’ll be there to hold him back.”

Imogen nearly gags at the sight, but straightens her face quickly enough. “I’m just glad you’re okay.” 

“Me too,” you respond, smiling for the first time this week.

Maybe this won’t go as terribly as you’d thought.

-------------------------------------------------------

Word travels fast in the rider’s quadrant.

Garrick approaches you in the main hall that afternoon.

You begin the speech you’d rehearsed in your head all morning. “I need to talk to you about something. I-”

He raises a hand, and you fall silent. “Bo already told me, and he made sure I was unarmed for this conversation.”

You let out a sigh of relief — he’s missing his two longswords and the array of daggers he normally keeps strapped to his body. 

If you survive the next seven months, you’ll name Bodhi the kid’s godfather for this act alone.

You still place yourself in front of Dain as subtly as you can as Garrick starts a speech of his own. 

“You’re an adult, and you can make your own decisions. It’s not my place to tell you what to do off the battlefield. Even if I did, I know you wouldn’t hear it. You’ve always been your own person; it’s one of the things I admire about you.” 

You’re actually touched.

“Do you love him?” He asks, looking over at the wingleader, who has remained uncharacteristically silent, probably too terrified to speak. 

“I do,” you answer, smiling softly. “I have for two years now.”

Garrick believes you. 

It’s clear that the words pain him, but he says them anyway; “Welcome to the family, Aetos.”

Dain extends a hand to shake. “Thank you.”

Garrick takes it, gripping it hard enough to hurt as he tugs him forward, clapping his other hand onto the younger man’s shoulder. “Know that if you ever do anything to hurt her, you’ll be answering to me and me alone.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Dain says, and the Lieutenant knows that he means it. 

Garrick leaves before you can work up the courage to tell him the other news.

-------------------------------------------------------

Dozens of riders pass by, ready to head to the flight field and assume their positions — but Dain keeps you locked in place.

“You really expect me to stand idle while you and all of our friends fight for their lives? I should be out there with them!” You huff. You’re ready to fight, fully dressed and heavily armed, and you couldn’t give a damn what he thinks.

“Absolutely not,” Dain says. “I won’t let you risk it.”

You bristle. “That isn’t your call, and you know it!”

“What are you two bickering about at this hour?” Garrick asks, one eyebrow raised.

You cross your arms over your chest, looking at your brother like a child tattling to their schoolteacher. “Please explain to the wingleader that we’re at war, and that he can’t just bench me whenever he feels like it. I’m a grown woman, and I can decide what is and isn’t safe for myself.”

“But it isn’t just you we’re talking about here,” Dain says quietly, genuine hurt in his voice.

You’re silent. Dain has a point — you don’t want to admit it, but he has a point. 

Garrick doesn’t follow. “What is he going on about?”

Dain looks at you, standing his ground. “If you won’t tell him, I will.”

Your heart drops. Is he really going to force your hand here?

You have to tell Garrick eventually — you can’t keep this a secret much longer. You decide to rip the bandage off, turning to face your foster brother, though you can’t seem to raise your voice above a whisper as you speak. “Please don’t freak out, but…”

His eyes drop to the hand you have placed over your stomach, a nervous habit you’ve developed in the last week, and he puts it together before you can say the words aloud, lunging toward Dain — he’s going to kill him.

You jump between them, wrapping your arms around Garrick tightly and planting your feet to the floor, pushing him back.

He relaxes at your touch, unfolding the fist that was aimed for Dain’s jaw and resting his hand flat on your back; he could never hurt you, especially not now.

“Please don’t be mad at him,” you say into his shoulder, your eyes still squeezed shut. “This is as much my fault as it is his. We’re both adults, we knew that this could happen, but we acted anyway, and now we’re facing the consequences, together.”

Dain nods in agreement behind you. “I have every intention of marrying your sister and spending the rest of my life with her after this is over.”

You turn back to look at him, stunned. 

He's never told you that before. You’d never discussed life beyond graduation — had lost too many of your friends over the years to make any promises about the future, and there was never any guarantee that you’d be stationed together after graduating, either.

“If she’ll have me, that is,” he adds, nervous.

You nod, letting go of Garrick and moving to hug Dain, hiding your face in his neck.

“Are you… crying?” Garrick asks.

“Of course I’m crying,” you sniff. “It’s the hormones.”

Dain laughs, wrapping his arms around you and pressing a kiss to your temple. “I love you, and I’m sorry for overreacting. If you want to fight with us, I won’t stop you.”

“Love you too,” you say quietly.

“Holy shit,” Bodhi breathes from across the room. “I’m gonna be an uncle?”

Oh, gods.

“Congratulations,” he grins at you before running off. “Hey guys! Guess what?”

Three seconds pass, and then there’s a loud “What the fuck?” from down the hall — that can only be Imogen. 

You laugh through your tears as the ruckus continues, the rest of the marked ones reacting to the news one by one.

“At least we won’t have to tell everyone ourselves,” Dain jokes, still holding you. “Bodhi will have informed the entire army by noon.”

Garrick shakes his head, laughing too, but he sobers up quickly enough. “The circumstances may be shitty, but this kid is going to have two dozen aunts and uncles who will protect them with their life.”

“And a riot of dragons,” Cosa adds. “We will care for your young like one of ours.”

Dain is right -- you’ll figure this out together; all of you.

-------------------------------------------------------

“A perfect baby girl,” the older of the two healers tells you, smiling warmly.

You sigh in relief, resting back against the pillows and loosening your grip on Dain’s hand. 

He presses a kiss to your sweaty forehead, murmuring soft praises; how strong you are, how amazing you were…

“Hi, pretty girl,” the healer coos down at her. “Let’s meet mom and dad, hm?” 

It finally sets in for both of you, that you two are mom and dad now — you’re parents.

She slowly transfers the babe into your arms. You’ve never held anything this carefully in your life; afraid to move or breathe, utterly silent.

A tiny hand wiggles free from the blanket, fingers grasping at the air.

“She’s so little,” Dain whispers in awe, extending a finger. She’s quick to wrap her hand around it, latching on to him.

He looks like he’s going to cry.

“She’s not marked,” you breathe.

You’re the first of the marked ones to have a child of your own, and while you knew it was probably irrational, your biggest worry over the last six months — aside from the venin and wyvern or anything terrible happening to you or your friends — was that you would somehow pass down your relic to her, that she would live her whole life with others instantly assuming the worst of her.

“She’s free to be whatever she wants to be,” Dain says, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “She won’t be forced into conscription like we were.”

You still haven’t decided on a name -- until now.

“Saoirse Álainn,” you say softly. “It means beautiful freedom, in the old language.”

“Saoirse Álainn,” he repeats, still gazing down at her. “I like that.”

She’s beautiful indeed — the best of both of you; the gentle warmth of her father’s skin and a dusting of his dark brown hair, your eyes and nose.

“Thank you,” he says quietly, “for showing me that what I’d been taught was wrong, and giving me the greatest gift I could ever ask for.”

You can’t help but melt into him, the exhaustion finally starting to overtake you. It’s been a long night — you’d woken up around two in the morning and realized what was happening, quickly rousing Dain, who carried you down here. It’s almost noon now, soft June sun filtering through the drapes.

“I got her. You should sleep.”

He takes Saorise from you gently, careful to support her head like the healers had taught you as he cradles her in his arms. 

The tiny girl makes a soft sound of complaint at the movement, but quickly relaxes, content to fall asleep against his chest. 

“Get some rest, my girls,” he whispers. “I’ll be here when you wake.”

[guidedhearts]

it’s not like he wants to be here . 

many of his core memories are from the keyblade graveyard , and none of them are fondly remembered to say the least . but there’s been something pulling at his heartstrings since the defeat of xehanort , and ven can’t stand it any longer . there’s got to be a way to stop this feeling of longing , bordering on the line of desperation , and it’s here . 

( he’s almost certain it has to do with vanitas . why else would his heart be leading him here ? … it doesn’t put a good feeling in his stomach , regardless . )

landing in the graveyard was a rocky experience , the current state of the weather making for poor visibility and strong winds that nearly knocked him off his glider . in fact , the moment he dismissed his glider , he was knocked flat over by a strong gust of wind . god , he hates this place . opting to keep his armor on , ventus begins what he assumes is going to be a long trek to where his darkness is hiding out - not even vanitas is crazy enough to stay out in this , right ? - to finally get to the bottom of this . 

it only takes what feels like forever , having to dodge the random flying keyblade or two and stand his ground against the strongest winds to get to the cave . the pulling has now turned to tugging , clueing him in that he’s getting closer to where he needs to be . the sight of the entrance is so welcome and even though he knows what awaits him past it , ven can’t help but race toward it . finally safe within the cave , he takes a moment to catch his breath and dismiss his now dust covered armor before vanitas’ voice rings out in the silence . 

‘ that wasn’t a very warm welcome . guess you don’t get too many guests , huh ? ’  the comment comes out naturally - no point in hiding behind false pleasantries after all . from what he can tell , this is where the other has been staying for however long the storm has been going , if not longer . not that that could be guessed by how lived in the cave is ( because it isn’t . save for a few belongings like a blanket and a pillow which … makes him feel a pang of guilt , weirdly enough . is that all he has ? ) 

well . xehanort never was that caring of a master .

‘ sorry that’s — i didn’t come here to fight you . or attack your manners . ’ 

ven keeps his distance , but close enough to at least hold a conversation at a normal volume , taking a seat on the cold ground . unless vanitas physically kicks him out of here , whether they both like it or not , he’s not about to brave the storm another time so he’s stuck here for now .  now that he thinks about it … his other half is very much capable of kicking him out should he desire to . 

a flaw in his plan . he’ll just have to hope vanitas is feeling uncharacteristically kind today . ventus hesitates before speaking , fidgeting fingers a telltale sign of what a bundle of nerves he is at the moment . ‘ uh … you’re probably wondering why i’m here , right ? guess i'll get right down to it . ’ he’s feeling pretty dumb for not planning out what he was going to say before the fact . ‘ have you been feeling kinda weird lately ? like there’s some kinda strange pulling in your chest ? ‘ he asks in one breath , avoiding eye contact with the other male . ‘ cause that’s what brought me here . ’

@guidedhearts

"Well, well, look what the cat's dragged in," Vanitas says, watching the dust-covered Keyblader stumble into the cave that he'd been sheltering in. He hadn't a clue why his other half had bothered coming back to the Graveyard, but he couldn't have picked a worse time.

The Keyblade Graveyard was always inhospitable, but there were times when it was downright hostile. This just so happened to be one of those times. For a few weeks, the world would be besieged by haboobs and derechos strong enough to knock Vanitas off his feet. They only rarely let up, and when they did, it didn't last long.

Vanitas is sitting on a rock deeper in the tunnel, elbow resting on his knee. Right behind him, there's an entrance to a small cavern with a magically burning fire lighting it up.

"The only reason you're still standing here is because I'm not particularly interested in bringing the ceiling down on both of us. I'd like nothing more than to throw you back out there."

[myhaikyuuacademia]

Hi, I know it’s super cliche but I was wondering if I could get a one bed friends to lovers story with Jaime Reyes?

This request made me so happy lmao. I wrote so much for it. Sorry it's late!

How could I not? | Jaime Reyes x reader (Blue Beetle 2023)

Summary: we love one bed. We love a sprinkle of accidental confession. Warning: tired Jaime is clingy. Canon. A/N: I LOVE this lmao tysm

You and Jaime hadn’t been friends for very long when all of the Kord stuff happened, but you didn’t hesitate to offer letting him and his family stay at your apartment while their house was getting fixed. They didn’t end up taking you up on that, since Jenny also offered them their own apartment and they’d rather take that then inconvenience you, but it was a little cramped in that apartment (not that it wouldn’t have been at yours). Jaime complained about it all the time. Especially about how Milagro had been relentlessly teasing and annoying him about stuff. He didn’t specify what. Anyway, that’s how you found yourself on a Sunday evening opening the door to a kinda disheveled looking Jaime. “Oh. Jaime. What’s up?” You moved to the side, letting him enter your apartment. “Ugh.” He groaned. “I haven’t slept properly in ages. Between renovations, hero stuff and my family seemingly being more overbearing than usual, especially in a space so small I can’t escape them, it just. I can’t fucking sleep.” He ranted and then ran a hand over his face and hair. You just chuckled as you closed the door and walked further into your apartment. “So you came here to escape?” You sat down on the couch and looked up at him, standing before you, hesitating for a second whether to sit down or what to do before deciding to do so. “Yeah” He breathed out. “I guess.” You hummed, understandingly. “Well, my doors are always open for you.” Turning towards the tv, you grabbed the remote from your coffee table. “Wanna watch spiderman with me?” Jaime sighed and then grinned, “sure.”

He didn’t last 5 minutes.

You glanced over at him and noticed his closed eyes and deep relaxed breaths. Hesitant, you gave him a nudge, trying to wake him up. The couch, and the way he was sitting right now especially, would give him a sore back and neck if he continued sleeping like this. “Jaime.” You whisper-shouted. Another nudge, “Jaime!”. Groggily he murmured and tried to move out of the way so he could continue his sleep in peace. “Come on Jaime, go to bed.” You tried pulling on his arm to get him to stand up, but he barely moved. Instead he pulled you down, so you landed half on top of him and he buried his head in your neck, while his arms closed around your waist holding you close. You froze and your brain simultaneously short-circuited and erupted into chaos. His breath was warm and even on your skin and his hands so soft on the little bit of exposed skin between your top and pants. He didn’t seem bothered by the position you two found yourselves in, hell, he probably didn’t even notice. You were pretty sure he was immediately and fully asleep again. Meanwhile your heart was still beating as if to escape your chest.

“Jaime.” You tried again after you’ve had a while to compose yourself. “Come on, let’s get you to bed, it’ll be more comfortable.” No success. “Khaji-Da?” Last resort. You heard groaning, and felt Jaime moving ever so slightly. “Come on now, let’s get you to bed. I promise you can continue sleeping in just a second.” Carefully, you tried slipping out of his arms, standing up and holding your hands out in front of you to help him up. With a pout on his lips he looked at you through half-lidded eyes before taking your hands with an overly dramatic movement and you pulled him up rolling your eyes, laughing. You didn’t notice the way he smiled at that. One of his hands still in yours, you led him to your bedroom. “Go. Sleep.” You lightly patted him on his back in a shoving way to get him to go to your bed. Standing in the doorway with your arms crossed you were observing if he was doing what you’re telling him to. He was well on his way when he stopped, as if a sudden thought occurred. “What about you?” He turned around. His voice was raspy, still half-asleep. Your heart was racing again, and your face felt very hot suddenly. “W…” you cleared your throat. “What about me?” “Aren’t you going to sleep?” “Oh. I’ll just sleep on the couch it’s fine. Plus, we didn’t really get that far with the movie, so I can just finish it.” He didn’t seem to like that answer, by the way his brows furrowed and his pout came back. “I’m not stealing your bed and leaving you to sleep on your couch. Especially in your own apartment.” “You need sleep more than I do. It’s fine. Really.” You tried convincing him. A feeling of an old western stare down crept up on you. Like whoever blinked first, lost. “Come on Jaime, just go back to sleep.” You plead, head slightly tilted and puppy-dog-eyes. His eyes narrowed. He was going to strike a deal. Or a compromise. “I’ll only go to sleep if you go. And I’ll only sleep in your bed if you do. Wait that came out wrong.”

“Pffff.” You burst out laughing. Ignoring how flustered his proposal made you. This man was gonna be the death of you some day. “You sure?” you asked jokingly. “Fine, go to bed. I’ll turn off the tv.” You sighed playfully defeated and turned around. Your heart was doing the racy thing again at the thought of sleeping in the same bed as Jaime. You groaned annoyed as you turned off the tv and lights and went back to the bedroom. For a second, you had considered staying in the living room and hoping he’d fallen back asleep, but he was stubborn and you knew that. There was no escape. And as predicted, he was sitting in your bed waiting, watching the door for you to come back. You noticed he was only wearing a t-shirt now, his sweater and pants on the floor next to him and it reminded you that you still had to change into your pajamas. Being around Jaime really saved you a lot of money on blush. You could tell he was watching you as you made your way over to your closet. If you wanted to, you could just go to the living room to change, or the bathroom. The question is, did you want to? Not really. You felt comfortable around Jaime, and you trusted him. And it’s not like you were about to get completely naked. And honestly, he probably might just look away anyway. So you took of your pants first, to put on some shorts, and then your top, to put on a flowy shirt. All the while your back was turned to your bed. You might have heard a “shut up Khaj” from behind you but you weren’t sure. Okay, maybe in hindsight it did make you feel a bit embarrassed and flustered to change in front of him. When you turned around, Jaime was staring at the wall in front of him very intently, and with a very red face.  Pressing your lips together to contain your facial expression you made your way over to the other side of the bed. “Happy now?” You asked as you sat down next to him, pulling the blanket on top of you. “uhuh.. hmm. Yeah” He was still looking straight ahead and avoiding your eyes. “Jaime.” You called out softly. This made his head turn. “Go to sleep.” You grinned. He only rolled his eyes in response and shook his head in mock-exasperation. But for some reason you couldn’t move your eyes, or stop your lips from smiling, and you kept looking at him. At his pretty, pretty face, with his soft, soft hair. His lips, that had been breathing into your neck just minutes earlier. His beautiful brown eyes that you found staring back at yours. In just a second, a tension had built up and the energy in the room completely changed. You licked your lips nervously.  What now? Neither of you dared to move. You weren’t even sure if you were breathing at this point. You felt the urge to say something, but you didn’t know what. Your mind was wiped completely empty. Jaime’s eyes were the first to flicker down to your lips.

And then his phone made a sound. You almost jumped apart, and he dizzily looked you up and down before turning around to grab his phone. His attention elsewhere and his eyes no longer on you, you remembered to breathe. Turning to face away from him, instead facing the wall he had been looking at so meticulously earlier you glid down so you were no longer sitting and let your covers almost swallow you whole. As if they could protect you from the fire you felt inside. You heard him setting his phone down again, and the rustling of the duvet when he laid down as well. You felt him looking at you. Did you dare look at him?

No.

“Good night, y/n.”

Only then you glanced over at him. “Good night Jaime.” You whispered, before looking back up at the ceiling.

By the sound of his breathing, he fell asleep soon after. Something you were, so very far away from at this moment. Your whole body was tense and your mind was going a mile a minute. You were acutely aware of his presence, his face just a couple inches to your side. There was no way you could calm down enough to fall asleep with him in your bed, next to you. You turned to face away from him, hoping it’d give you some sense of distance between you two. After some brainstorming you figured your best bet was to sneak out on to the couch once you were sure it wouldn’t wake him up. Well, that’s what you would’ve done, if you weren’t suddenly wrapped in Jaime’s arms literal seconds before you would have tried sneaking out. “Stay.” He murmured sleepily, face buried in your back. “Wh..” slipped out of your mouth as you tensed up, caught off-guard. “Khaj.” He answered your unspoken question, his hands around your waist. You had two choices. Give in, or not. You gave in.

Surprising how fast you can fall asleep when you’re in the arms of someone you l- When you’re in the arms of someone. Period.

You woke up still in his arms, and it made you feel all warm inside. Though, face-to-face now, with your face buried in his neck for a change. “Morning.” His voice was hoarse, though it sounded liked he had been for a while already. You didn’t feel like talking yet, so you just wrapped your arms around him tighter and buried your face in his shoulders more. Suddenly shy. One of his hands moved from your back to stroke your hair. This, you thought, is a moment you wished you could stay in forever. “You want some breakfast?” Jaime asked. “mmhm” you declined. “I only want to stay in bed with you.” He chuckled at that and started playing with your hair, wrapping strands around his fingers. “And to think just a few hours ago you tried to sneak out.” He teased. Your face scrunched up. “hmmh” you mumbled, “well, I changed my mind. Now you have to come over every night so I can fall asleep.” You weren’t completely serious when you said it, but Jaime just replied with a “Deal.” There was a content silence after this. He continued playing with your hair and you continued holding him. “Do you think trees get sad when their leaves fall off?” This came completely unprompted and so sudden it made you laugh. “Jaime what the fuck.” You pulled away to look at him, amused. He looked at you so full of love your brain stuttered. “I…” You trailed off. “No. If they’re capable of enough thought to be sad about it, I think they know the leaves will come back.” “But they won’t be the same leaves.” His fingers that were weaving through your hair before now began tracing invisible patterns on your skin. “Do you get sad when you get a haircut? I imagine it’s the same way.” You replied sincerely. He seemed to think about it before his face scrunched up. “I’d be sad if I got a buzzcut yeah.” You burst out laughing. After you calmed down you started running one of your hands through his hair. “I’d be sad if you got a buzzcut, too.” But I’d still love you.

“But I’d still love you.”

You didn’t even notice you said it out loud, the thought itself stunned you and made your hand stop playing with his hair for a second before you managed to get it moving again. You completely forgot about your face, so the shock was still seared into it. Eyes wide, looking at your hand in his hair, focusing on it, as if combing through his hair was the most difficult thing to do, just so you didn’t have to look into his eyes.

“You love me?”

Your hands halted and your eyes met his. “What?”

“You… love me?” he repeated in the same soft and unbelieving voice, barely above a whisper.

“What?” you felt like a broken record.

“You said you would still love me.”

“Oh.”

Oh.

In a way this situation was like the one yesterday, before his phone went off. Both of you staring at each other, not saying a word. But the energy was so different. He was waiting for you to say something, it seemed, to confirm or deny, but you didn’t know what to say. There are two wolves inside of you. So you stayed completely frozen instead. There was no phone ‘ding’ to save you this time. It was getting uncomfortable, neither of you saying anything. Your fight or flight instinct was begging for you to run. Instead, almost out of your control, your mouth opened, as if to say something. But then you remembered you had no idea what to say. “yes.” Oh. I guess we’re going with that. This seemed to break you out of your spell, you turned around, out of his arms, out of the bed, you got up. “Sorry.” “What? Why are you apologizing?” Jaime asked. Your back turned towards him you heard him move. Flight was kicking in, and you were well on your way out the bedroom when he managed to grab your arm and keep you from moving further away. “I love you!”

You stood still. Then you turned around. “I love you too.” Jaime said again, this time adding the ‘too’. “So you don’t have to apologize.” It was a little funny, if you were honest. The way he was half kneeling on your bed half standing on the floor, holding your wrist and telling you he loved you in just his shirt and underwear. “You do?” “Yeah. Of course. Of course I do, how could I not?” He said it so earnestly, it made you want to laugh because he was still in that weird position. “You do.” No longer a question. You stepped closer with a smile. “You love me.” Grinning now. “You love me.” He just repeated. Spiderman pointing meme. You nod. And then you kiss him.

[t-lostinworlds]

A Strange(r’s) Comfort | Peter Parker

A/N: had this idea right after i saw nwh which was...years ago now lol. rewatched it again recently so here’s me dusting off a wip that’s been sitting in my drafts. basically, this is just me giving peter some comfort in a way, bc that boy really needs one :((

》 PAIRING: peter parker x female!reader 》 TROPE/GENRE: strangers to lovers (mostly implied); soft angst; hurt/comfort 》 SUMMARY: Peter found a strange comfort in the graveyard, no less. But hearing about your day-to-day had been the highlight of his. And when one night led to the both you showing vulnerability, suddenly, Peter didn't feel so alone anymore. Maybe a stranger's comfort wasn't so bad. 》 WARNINGS: Spoilers? (i mean it’s been a while); bad jokes/puns (one about chicken & one about sex lmao); peter eavesdropping (sorta...ya know, enhanced hearing); it’s mostly set in the graveyard so...; mentions of: death, car accident, drunk drivers, being in jail for a moment, petty theft, peer pressure; and overall just dealing with grief and peter & reader bonding over their experience with grief. 》 WORD COUNT: 5.2k+ (issa baby fic)

📍 BLOG NAVIGATION ✩ P. PARKER MASTERLIST ✩ MAIN MASTERLIST ✩

⊱ ─────.⋅♚ *｡･ﾟ.★. *｡･ﾟ✫*.

Some might consider it unhealthy, but was there really a 'right' way to deal with the loss of someone you hold near and dear to your heart? They might even say it was excessive, but who were they to police him? They didn't know what he was going through. They could never understand what he was going through.

A part of him had excused it with his wounds being fresh, that with time, he'd be able to learn not to dwell too long on the remnants of the people he loves. Maybe with time, he'd be able to move on, something that seemed so impossible at the moment. But he'll get there—well, he hoped so, at least.

Either way, there was no doubt that everyone handled grief differently.

For Peter Parker, that was visiting May's grave every day.

Once was enough.

That was what he limited himself to, at least.

But still, it was barely enough to settle the demons in his head. Barely enough to stop him from replaying the scene over and over.

Peter had been recalculating in utter desperation as to what else he could've done better, what else he could've done more to save her.

That was what it was like most nights.

Some nights, though, his mind would switch things up a bit, thinking that maybe he was going about it wrong. Maybe it was a case of what he shouldn't have done.

Those nights Peter sometimes found himself picking apart every choice he'd ever made before it led to that point.

Maybe if he hadn't chosen to go on that stupid school trip to Europe then this wouldn't have happened. Maybe his identity wouldn't have been revealed and it wouldn't have led for that first domino to tumble, knocking over the rest that made his life turn for the absolute worse.

Or maybe, he didn't need to go that far back in the past. Maybe he simply shouldn't have chosen to question Dr. Strange's decision to send those villains back to where they came from immediately.

But sadly, that was all there was to it.

Peter's thoughts were simply and only just a whole bunch of unanswerable maybes.

Maybe this, maybe that. Maybe he owed it to them to try his best and fix things, maybe he didn't owe them anything at all. Maybe it was the wrong choice to try and save everyone, maybe it was right.

Aunt May said he did the right thing.

But it didn't feel like it sometimes.

Hell, it didn't even feel like it was even worth it. And no matter how much he tried to tell himself that it was right, his thoughts still managed to convince him that every. single. choice he made was simply wrong.

It wasn't even difficult to come to that conclusion anymore. Because ever since he got bitten by that spider, his loss considerably outweighed all his wins. And from then onwards, it just felt like he kept losing, and losing, and losing, and losing.

Right now, the most mundane thing he'd been losing lately was sleep, at the very least.

He'd gotten a job as a delivery guy at this small chicken joint a couple of streets down his apartment. Some might call it cheating—in his opinion, it was simply taking a shortcut—but he'd leave the bicycle they'd lend him in an alleyway and just swing the chickens to their destination. Sure, changing in and out of his suit was a bit tiring but it was definitely far better than dealing with New York traffic.

Apart from that, he'd also begun with some freelance photography work, dusting off the old DSLR camera Ben and May got him. He got decent at it a while back. But it got long forgotten the minute they bought him his first video game console, two years later.

He was starting off small, from random birthday parties to taking photos of restaurants or any establishment that was looking to use the pictures for ads or whatever. He was up for anything, anyone who didn't mind getting an okay photo at best.

There wasn't much to it, though, since nobody was really keen on hiring someone who didn't have experience. As a matter of fact, he didn't even have a high school diploma. Which had now led to him sacrificing countless hours of studying for his GED tests.

So, it was safe to say that he was handling a lot, especially juggling it with his still ongoing nighttime patrols.

Yet all of that seemed so much easier compared to what he had to deal with once he was lying in bed, wide awake even if it was past midnight. What went on in his day-to-day was only a fraction of the reason why he was losing sleep because his damning thoughts just had a habit of being so loud once everything else had quieted down.

It was hard as it was dealing with grief, even though he for sure had dealt with it more times than needed in such a short amount of time.

But what was more difficult about it this time around, was dealing with alone.

And Peter Parker was truly and utterly, alone.

No fellow Avenger to advise on ways to deal with this. After all, they were the only people who could understand even the slightest bit of what he was going through.

Saving the rest only to fail at saving one, losing someone in the midst of fighting for the rest of the world.

No Happy to offer some guidance on dealing with the loss of someone near and dear to you. Or for him to just be there as someone Peter could relate to, just like when Tony had died.

No Ned and MJ to give him company, offer their different ways of comfort as best as they could. They weren't there to simply make him laugh, offer that tiniest moment of reprieve, distract him with their theories and arguments about anything and everything to help him escape from, well, everything.

Right now, Peter had no one.

Going from having the people he truly cared about be only one call away, to suddenly being someone labeled as 'unknown number' in their contact lists, it was difficult.

But maybe he would just learn to live with it.

And maybe the first step to being able to live with his grief was to visit May frequently.

It didn't matter what time of the day it was. Whether it was early morning or just a few minutes after lunch, or when the sky started tinting orange as the sun slowly set. Midday or midnight, dusk or dawn, it didn't matter as long as he could visit her just once.

Maybe a part of him was hoping that by some miracle he'd hear her voice again, telling him, even if it was the last time, that you're going to be okay.

Peter needed it, so badly. He needed to be told that things would turn out alright because him being fine? It seemed like a far-off dream at this point.

He'd been to space, been to the mirror dimension, fought villains from other universes, been the center of a spell that erased people's memories and made them forget who he was.

Surely hearing the voice of a loved one that had passed wasn't too much to ask?

Yet every day, every moment he ventured into the graveyard, he was met by silence.

Well, aside from the distant hum of New York as life moved on. There was also the deep howl of the wind at night, a few cracking branches accompanied by the soft coo of crows.

Some would probably find peace from all the white noise, but Peter couldn't say he found any comfort in it. He'd only grown accustomed to it, used to tuning out the rest of the world to avoid being reminded of a life he once had.

Still, quietness had always been typical during his visits.

That, until one Saturday afternoon.

•••

Peter sensed another person approaching before he could even see them.

The soft crunch of fallen leaves was what he heard first, followed by a soft humming of some holiday song.

He looked up from the book he was reading, curious eyes landing on someone carrying flowers, a slight pep in her step which was unusual given the location.

Still, there was something about you that Peter couldn't help but be drawn to.

"There we go, all nice and clean," he heard you say, rustling of dried leaves and the soft brushing of clothes following suit. "And flowers well hydrated with bottled spring water."

You were talking to yourself.

It was a habit, he assumed. You just seemed comfortable doing it, as if you were having a mundane conversation with someone else.

Peter found it oddly endearing.

"I brought your favorite this time Dad because I am sure you're complaining to Mom why I always bring her favorite flowers," you explained with a soft laugh. "I sometimes forget you're a flowers type of guy, too."

No—you weren't talking to yourself.

You were talking to the gravestone.

His curiosity piqued even more.

It wasn't that you were being loud, either. Not at all. You were speaking softly as you typically would if you were by yourself in a graveyard, no less.

But because of his enhanced hearing, he simply couldn't help but listen.

"Sorry I haven't been here for a little while, just been busy with you know, moving, college, finding a job with a minimum wage that will not cover rent alone so what even is the point? We look for a job to survive but when we do find a job it doesn't even pay you enough to get by? Some people don't even hire you because 'not enough experience' and I'm like, duh? I'm trying to gain experience hence why I'm applying? Who even invented this shithole?"

Peter found himself nodding along, unable to argue with your claims when they were filled with nothing but the truth.

"Sorry, sorry, it just doesn't make a damn sense," you sighed. He could almost hear you rolling your eyes. "Anyway, I then have other adult things I really don't want to deal with like learning how to deal with taxes and stuff which is so dumb given I'm close to broke and—where does my tax go, anyway? Some politician's tenth vacation to the Bahamas, probably."

For the first time in a long while, Peter cracked a smile.

"Ugh, I am sorry, I promise I don't come here only to complain to you guys," you said, "But I am doing okay…"

He couldn't really explain the 'why,' but the soft tug in his heartstrings was definitely real when he heard the melancholia in your voice.

"The holidays are coming up," you said softly, the slight shake in your tone unmistakable. Yet as it rushed to the surface, it was just as quickly replaced with a chipper one.

"They always tell me how you both are watching over me now. But I don't know if I really want that," you sighed exaggeratedly. "Not because I hate you guys. But imagine if I was having sex? I really don't want to think about you 'watching over me' because it's really uncomfortable."

Peter couldn't stop his snort, his eyes widening as he spared you a glance. He was as grateful that you didn't seem to hear him.

The last thing he wanted was for you to think he was eavesdropping—well, maliciously, at least.

"It's a joke, Mom. See, Dad gets it."

Silence hung in the air after that, a sudden gust of wind blowing away the leaves that littered the snow-covered grass.

But he had a feeling the shake in your voice wasn't because of the cold.

"I really miss you guys…"

Peter left at that.

He didn't see you again for the next few days, probably because he never did visit at the same hour of the day. He never actively tried to see what time you were there, either—if you went every day at all. He'd just become a stalker at that point.

So, every time you did cross paths, it was entirely by chance.

The next encounter was when he brought his lunch with him to the graveyard. He'd caught sight of you sitting on a pink blanket that was laid out on the grass, legs crossed with a box of pizza to your right.

Instinctively, you looked up and over your shoulder when you heard his footsteps.

Your eyes immediately locked with his.

Pretty was the first word that came to his mind.

Beautiful, when you offered him a sweet and warm smile.

"Hello," you greeted.

Peter couldn't help but smile in return.

"Hi."

Nothing else was said after that.

You both respectively ate your lunches in your little corners, your soft humming bringing a comforting peace, one he still couldn't quite explain.

And from there on out, Peter learned that you did go there every day, but it was only either at lunchtime or late in the afternoon.

Because whenever Peter went during those times, you were always there.

As he said, he never actively tried to be there whenever you were. He didn't change anything with his routine. He still went there at random times of the day.

You and him crossing paths simply happened.

And most of those moments, Peter couldn't help but listen in on your rambles.

It might have been wrong, otherwise, creepy, but it wasn't like you were unaware of his presence. You weren't being loud, but you weren't exactly whispering into nothing either. If it were an unenhanced being, they would still hear you, but maybe only slightly inaudible. Peter just had the ability to make out your words a little clearer than the average person.

Besides, all your stories had been mundane at most, quite adorable at best.

Like that one time you ran into a post because you saw a cat wearing some boots and a clear raincoat across the road. Or that time you missed your stop in the subway because you kept talking to a Corgi who was lounging comfortably in their owner's backpack.

"His little legs were so cute!"

Like he said, adorable.

But if it was something personal, though, he'd learned to tune it out. He made sure to keep those matters out of his ear, leaving your private conversations, well, private.

Yet your silly and terrible jokes, your gripes about society and the unfairness of the world, to your little story times and mundane gossip of what you'd heard on the street, Peter couldn't help but tune in as if he was listening to the morning radio.

It made Peter feel lighter somewhat, a feeling he never once associated when being in a graveyard.

He didn't know if it was your stories, or if it was simply hearing that soft tone of your voice. Either way, he found it comforting, which was so strange.

Never had he ever thought he would find comfort from a stranger, no less.

A strange comfort.

•••

"People always ask why did the chicken cross the road. They never ask why the chicken didn't cross the road."

Peter perked up in curiosity, ready to hear another of the many jokes you'd completely ruined.

He found it absolutely hilarious how you were churning typical and old punchlines into horrible ones.

The funniest part was, it seemed like you were doing it on purpose.

"Why, you ask? Because they physically can't anymore," you said, pausing for added effect. "People enjoy eating chicken legs way too much."

Peter's eyes grew wide, gaze landing on the chicken leg he just finished. He couldn't stop the sound that escaped his lips.

It was a mix between a wheeze, a laugh, and a cough.

Loud enough to get your attention.

"Hey," you called, voice sounding closer. "Are you okay?"

"Oh—uhm, hi," he stammered, caught off guard when you were now suddenly in front of him. Clearing his throat, he nodded. "And yeah, I'm good,"

"Do you need some water?" You offered him a bottle.

"No, no, I've got my own," he declined, lifting his bottle. "But thank you."

"Oh okay," you said, smiling sweetly. "It just sounded like you were choking or something so I wanted to make sure if you were alright."

Peter blushed.

"No, I was…uhm—" He scratched the back of his neck. "I was holding back my laugh."

You tilted your head, bottom lip jutted out and Peter found himself thinking of ways to smooth out the little crinkled on your forehead, maybe kiss—wait what?

"Why would you do that?" you asked.

Shit.

Did I say that out loud?

"Sorry?" He blinked at you.

"Why would you hold back your laugh?"

"Oh," he sighed, mostly in relief. "Just didn't want to seem creepy and I wasn't…eavesdropping or anything but I uhm—heard your joke." Chuckling shyly, he smiled. "It was pretty funny."

"Funny because it was bad?" You raised a knowing brow. "If you say it was good then I'm really going to question your sense of humor."

"It was really bad," he admitted, breathing out a laugh.

The way your smile brightened made Peter's heart do a funny thing.

"Thanks," you giggled. "I pride myself in my bad jokes."

"Yeah," he breathed out, willing his heart to stop being so goddamn weird, what is going on with you? "And sorry for not helping the chickens cross the road."

You stared at him confused.

That was until he pointed towards the bag on the ground that had the logo of a chicken on it.

Your hearty laugh rang in the air.

Peter found himself growing warmer at the sound, the burn starting right in his chest and spreading to the whole expanse of his body.

"I—whew, sorry, wow," you heaved after a moment. "Haven't laughed like that in a while."

Both of you fell silent after that—not an awkward one. If anything, it was pleasant, like there was an unspoken understanding being exchanged with a simple look.

"This may seem like weird advice but try and talk to them," you softly said.

Peter looked at you, confused.

You gestured toward the tombstone with a sympathetic smile.

"They might hear it, they might not, there's really no way of knowing," you explained. "But what more could you lose if you try? Plus, you'll get it off your chest and that's always progress."

"I—" Peter nodded, the corner of his lips curling up. "Thank you. I'll keep it in mind."

You smiled at that. "I'll see you around."

"See you around," he hummed, gaze never leaving your figure even as you left, his eyes steady on the path you walked on as he mulled over your words.

It was kind of weird advice, but at the same time, it made perfect sense.

Peter didn't question it nor did he judge—who was he to judge? After all, everyone handled grief differently.

But as he sat down on the ground, eyes steady on the lettering of May's name, he found the words flowing out so easily.

"Hi, May I—" Peter took a sharp breath, blinking away the sting that started to settle in his eyes. "Wow. It's been a while since I've talked to you, huh?"

It started out simple, filling her up with what was new with his life recently—the job, his education, all those mundane stuff.

But then as he shifted from one topic to another, he inevitably started talking about all the things that felt so wrong. And once that train left the station, it was so difficult to stop.

It wasn't a complaint. It was an unloading of the baggage he'd been carrying around alone for quite some time now.

All the loneliness and grief, the boiling anger and consuming regret, the love and the love lost, to the bleak look of what his future held.

Peter didn't realize he was crying until a soft gush of wind brushed his cheeks, the coldness making him catch his breath with a shiver.

And then, a small white butterfly flew right in front of him, stopping momentarily before disappearing into the now setting sky.

Peter let out a breath.

Lighter and relieved.

It could've been a coincidence, or maybe it wasn't at all.

But what more could he lose if he took that as a sign that she heard him?

So with a small, tearful smile, he sighed,

"Thanks for always hearing me out, May."

Since then, he'd grown to tell May about his day. Some were tougher than others, while some were snippets of his new life—mundane and simple but starting to become fulfilling the more he looked at it from different perspectives.

As the weeks passed by, Peter's everyday visits became every other day. At first, the guilt of missing a day was heavily consuming. But it didn't take long for it slowly turn into a soft lull—still there, but not as bad as it used to be.

There was one other thing he hoped for whenever he wandered into the graveyard, though.

To see you again.

If it was one last time just so he could say thank you, then he'd take it.

That didn't mean he wasn't wishing for it to be more.

•••

The hair on every inch of Peter's body stood up when he heard it.

It was definitely not his spider sense going awry. This was very much a human reaction.

Well, he could imagine that when the first thing a person would hear as they venture into a graveyard in the dead of the night was crying, even the toughest men would get spooked.

But as soon as Peter located the source of the sound, his heart broke.

He wasn't expecting to find you, sat on the cold ground alone, hugging your knees to your chest, body shaking with sobs.

His first instinct was to fight whoever it was that made you cry because how fucking dare they?

But with a controlled breath, Peter walked over to you, making sure to step on dried leaves so you'd be aware of his presence.

Your head snapped up at the sound, puffy red eyes landing on him.

His frown could only deepen as he slowly sat beside you, offering you a tender smile with his arms wide open.

You stared at him with furrowed brows, eyes switching between his face and his open arms, downright confused.

Peter couldn't blame you. After all, you didn't know him.

He was ready for you to yell at him for being a creep, to scream at him to get lost. He was prepared for you to push him away—hell, punch him in the face—and run as fast as you could.

But instead, your lips quivered, a broken sob following suit. With your head hung low, you fell into his embrace.

And Peter hugged you as tightly as he could.

He didn't say anything, didn't feel like it was needed. He simply held you close, rubbing circles over your back as he gently rocked you from side to side.

Crying it all out until you couldn't anymore was, most of the time, the best thing you could do at the moment.

So he let you.

Only when your sobs turned to sniffles to soft shaky breaths did you pull away. 

"Your shirt," you gasped shakily, bottom lip jutting out as your eyes began to water again. "Oh no, I'm sorry."

"Hey, it's okay," he reassured, squeezing your shoulders before reluctantly letting you go. "I wouldn't have offered you a hug if I minded."

"Thank you," you whispered. "I really needed that."

"No worries." He nodded with a small smile. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"It's just—" you sighed, wiping your face with the sleeves of your coat. "It's my first holiday alone so it's been kinda tough."

"Me too," he hummed, smiling sadly when you looked at him, a mixture of surprise and understanding crossing your face. "My parents have been gone since I was a kid, and I was left with my uncle and aunt. My uncle died a few years ago so all I had left was her but now she's…"

"I'm sorry," you softly said, your hand finding his.

You gave it a squeeze.

Peter squeezed back.

"I only had my parents growing up," you started, gesturing at the tombstone. "Didn't get to meet my grandparents, never really met many of my relatives because they're all halfway across the world, so now it's just me."

Peter didn't know what it was, exactly. Maybe it was the warmth of your hand still holding his and your kind eyes bearing no judgment or pity. Maybe it was the sheer comfort you provided, one that he still couldn't quite explain.

Either way, he found himself sharing what it had been like for him. Sure, he left out details to keep his deepest secret uncovered, and to come and think about it, it was mostly things connected to Aunt May. But Peter definitely spilled way too much to someone he barely even knew.

He did not regret it one bit.

"I promised to protect her and I—"

"I'm sure you gave it your all," you assured.

"Not enough to keep her alive," he scoffed, tone far more bitter than he intended to. He caught himself, shaking his head. "Sorry, sorry—"

"Never apologize for how you feel," you said firmly.

Peter nodded, his attention caught by your thumb that was absentmindedly running circles over the back of his hand. You'd been holding onto it as you listened to his story, and he found himself not minding it at all.

If anything, a part of him wanted you to never let go.

"But I get it," you breathed out. "The whole 'this is my fault' thing."

"Was it an accident?" he asked softly.

You nodded. "Car crash. Some drunk frat boys thought it was a good idea to test out how fast they could go in their new truck into an open road."

He frowned. "That's not your fault."

"It is," you insisted. "They wouldn't have been out on the road in the first place if they weren't coming to pick me up in the dead of the night." Shaking your head, you scoffed, "I wish I could say I was at a friend's house but they were coming to bail me out of jail."

Attempting to lighten up the mood, Peter softly bumped his shoulder with yours. "Am I in the midst of a troublemaker?"

That earned him a teary chuckle.

He took it as a win.

"Not quite," you sighed, your smile fading. "Got hung up with the wrong crowd. They kept teasing me that I was too much of a miss goody two shoes and that I should live a little."

"Peer pressure is one nasty thing."

"Yeah well, I still did it." You shrugged, anxiously gnawing on your bottom lip. "A group of us were walking home from a party and we passed by this random minimart on the way. My so-called friends thought it was a good idea to dare me to steal one thing from the store, to break my 'good girl' streak as they put it.

"They all gave me ultimatums, one of them was either I steal something or they'll tell the whole school that I was the real definition of 'The freaks in bed are always the quiet ones' so my loser reputation is no more. They said they can't hang around me anymore if I kept being the loser of the group. It was tough because they were all the friends I had."

Peter couldn't stop the surge of pure anger that ran through him. "They sound fucking horrible."

"Yeah, and I was stupid enough to go along with it." Shaking your head, you chuckled, tone void of humor. "It wasn't even the owner who saw me, it was some random white woman yelling bloody murder as if I was burning the goddamn place down. And the second my friends saw the security guards? Oh, they ran, left me there to fend for myself."

Peter unclenched his fist, settling to rub circles on your back instead.

"It was one candy," you choked back a sob, gesturing towards the tombstone. "But the punishment feels—"

Peter wrapped an arm around your shoulder, pulling you in for a side hug when you started crying again.

"And you know what hurts most?" you whimpered, fisting his jacket as you laid your head on his shoulder. "Knowing that the last memory they had of me was just filled with disappointment."

"I'm sure that's not true," he said softly, squeezing you close. "They loved you."

"I know they did I just—"

"Wish you could go back and change every decision you made?"

You lifted your head off his shoulder and looked at him, eyes glossy yet he saw the flicker of gratefulness in them.

Peter felt it in himself too, an appreciation to finding someone who could understand even the littlest bit of what he was going through.

"Yeah," you shakily breathed out, letting out a soft laugh as you wiped your nose. "God, what a way to celebrate the holidays, huh?"

He chuckled at that, nodding.

It was definitely something, crying your heart out, spilling all your trauma to a stranger in the dead of night at a graveyard.

But there was only one thought that stayed at the forefront of his mind.

Peter didn't feel so alone anymore.

"Yeah," he hummed, a shy smile playing on his lips. "But I'm glad I'm not alone."

Your whole face brightened, your fingers interlacing with his.

"Me too," you said, smiling. "We're going to be okay."

Peter felt some weight lift off his entire back at those simple words of reassurance.

"We're going to be okay."

Teasingly bumping his shoulder with yours, you hummed, "I'm Y/N, by the way."

You both laughed at the absurdity of it, getting to know each other's pain, regret, hurt and grief before even getting the chance to know a name.

"Peter," he sighed, squeezing your hand. "Peter Parker."

Later that night, he somehow gathered up the courage to ask if you wanted to get some hot cocoa with him. And when you said yes with that smile he'd grown to adore so much, Peter had an inkling that you wouldn't stay a stranger to him in the long run.

But for now, as you laid your head on his shoulder, your soft breaths visible in the cold air, tiny snowflakes on your lashes, face glowing underneath the moonlight, warmth and contentment bloomed in his chest.

Peter was smiling.

Genuine and pure, and perhaps a sign of a new beginning.

A stranger's comfort wasn't so bad, after all.

✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.★.*｡･ﾟ♛ *.

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[hanjisungs-bigtittyg0thgf]

Pose

artist!hyunjin x model!minho

Trigger warnings: n/a

Content warnings: dirty talk, hand job, anal, mild exhibitionism, a touch of overstimulation, excessive use of the name 'baby'

Summary: hyunjin can't keep his hands to himself when his model gets worked up

Word count: 5.2k

A/N: hiiii all ❤ i'll keep this short lmao. i'm slowly but surely working my way through my requests! things feel a bit easier these days so i feel like i can actually get things completed for you all. i hope you all like it!

Tags: @bahng-chrizz

Smut below the cut

Minho bit his lip pensively as he approached the studio door. Was he really about to do this? He knocked before he could talk himself out of it. Damned nerves always got to him.

The door swung open to reveal a tall, slender man with sharp features and luxurious dark hair. He was so pretty he sent all the air rushing out of Minho's lungs. “Minho, hi! It’s so good to finally meet you. Come on in. We’re just setting up.” Pouty lips tugged into a bright smile and Minho's knees turned to jelly for a moment as his heart thumped wildly in his chest.

He stepped inside with a small smile of his own and took in the setup as the beautiful man continued. “My assistant - well, you know Felix - already has everything together for hair and makeup. Once you finish up there, come back in here and we can start.” Minho nodded and took a steadying breath as the taller man led him to a room with a vanity, the desk covered in hair and makeup products, some of which he was familiar with, while others were entirely foreign.

Minho had been modeling for local artists for a couple years now but it never got easier. He always felt a rush of nerves every time he prepared to step in front of a camera or sit for a painting. It certainly didn’t help that Hyunjin was the most gorgeous man he’d ever laid eyes on and he was about to get extremely familiar with the older man.

“Oh, your complexion is just perfect - as always.” Felix said. “Come, let’s get you camera-ready.” He flashed an eager smile and Minho felt instantly at ease. Felix was someone he’d met several times and was rather comfortable with. They ran in the same circles and when the younger man had learned of Minho’s side job, he instantly brought up Hyunjin’s desperation for a model for an upcoming project. He’d connected the two men and today was the first time they were meeting in person.

“Are you okay? You seem kinda anxious.” Felix grabbed the rounded flat iron.

“Yeah I'm fine.” Minho hummed, trying to seem nonchalant. “I always get nervous before these things.”

“Why? You’re gorgeous. You were made for this.” Felix smiled warmly as he began to curl a strand of Minho's hair. The older man rolled his eyes even as a flattered smile spread across his face.

“I know I’m hot, Lix. It’s the expectations that get me worked up.” And this photographer’s face… “I’ll be fine once we get started and I know what he’s going for.”

“I told you: he’s looking for someone to let him paint them for a new exhibit piece. It’s simple.” Felix reminded him as he curled another strand.

“Yes,” he rolled his eyes once more, his smile growing wider at the playful exasperation he felt. Felix always got that reaction out of him. “But once I know the vibe of the shoot, it’ll go smoothly.”

“Well…” Felix bit his lip as he ran his fingers through the curls he’d already finished. Halfway there. “I guess I should warn you…he’s the sensual type. He’s walking sex and it shows in his work.”

“I have eyes, Lix. I can tell that much.” Minho snorted. After a beat, during which he looked around the room to ensure they weren’t being watched from the hall, he spoke again. “He’s hot. I wouldn’t mind things getting…heated.”

“He is. And he’s a-” Felix cut himself short, pink dusting his cheeks as he cleared his throat. “I shouldn’t say that.”

“Well now you have to tell me.” Minho grinned, taking note of how flustered the younger man appeared. “Have you two fucked?” The reddening of Felix's cheeks was his answer and his smirk grew even as something twisted in his chest. “Was he good?”

After a few moments of silence, Felix finally answered. “He’s a fucking beast in bed.” He admitted, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You should absolutely find out for yourself.”

“Maybe I will.” Minho hummed, his voice light and airy despite the heat that settled low in his belly.

The rest of Felix’s prep work went quickly, the two of them gossiping about much lighter topics as the younger man worked to enhance Minho’s natural beauty. It didn’t take much.

Within minutes, Minho was seating himself in front of Hyunjin, who already had several small cans of paint open. “And you’re sure you’re not allergic to anything?” He asked cautiously. He’d hate himself forever if he sent anyone to the hospital for the sake of his art, especially someone so perfect.

“Positive.” Minho hummed, shivering as the slight chill in the room caressed his bare chest. His jeans were slung low on his hips and he was shirtless, though he was certain he’d need to remove more clothing before they got started. “So I’m all yours to do with as you please.”

“Don’t tell me that. I might just have too much fun.” Hyunjin winked as he grabbed the first can of paint. “Is there any way I can get you to fully undress? This is going to get messy. Plus,” his grin was seductive and made Minho’s knees weak. “Nude art is always more fun.”

Minho paused and looked at Felix, who gave an eager nod and a thumbs up. “It’ll still be tasteful and not full on porn, right?” He asked, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice again. His chat with Felix had relaxed him a lot but the prospect of being entirely nude and having the image of his whole body captured for eternity made that calm dissipate. He wasn’t fond of the idea of having his dick on display for the whole world. Personal videos and photos? Sure. But something that would be heavily publicized? That was a step too far.

“Oh god no- I would never ask anyone to pose in entirely provocative ways. This is purely for the art. The most important parts will be covered, I promise.” Hyunjin rushed to assure him with a nervous smile of his own. He kept those photos and videos on a separate camera. This was purely for the aesthetic. Minho was built like a god and his physique deserved to be displayed.

With the reassurance that this was entirely professional, Minho stood from the stool he’d been perched on and reached for the button of his jeans. He ignored the weight of both men’s gazes on him as he shucked both his pants and his briefs. Thank god I took the time to shave last night…

Felix found himself staring and chewing on his lip at the sight of Minho’s impressive body but ignored the racy thoughts he was having. Instead, he took the clothes Minho had just removed and placed them aside, allowing Hyunjin to get started. Hyunjin, on the other hand, didn’t hide his admiration and made a small noise of appreciation as he dipped the brush into the paint.

“This is gonna be a little cold.” He warned before gliding the brush over Minho’s collarbone. The eldest sucked in a gasp at how chilly the paint was but forced himself to hold still. “I’m gonna come back and use my hands once I get the lines down, if that’s okay?”

“That’s fine.” Minho nodded, glancing down as Hyunjin dragged the brush in a straight line down the right side of his chest. “It’ll be warmer then.” He chuckled as he watched the lines of blue, then red, then pink and purple and green appear on his torso, followed by curved lines on his arms and legs. The feather-light touches were driving him up the wall but he did his best to remain composed.

That composure was lost when Hyunjin’s slender hands met his skin, smearing paint down his abs and muddying the pristine lines that had been left only moments prior. His breath hitched at the gentle touch, the slide of the younger man’s hands on his body lighting a fire beneath his skin. His face heated as his blood rushed south, causing Hyunjin’s hands to still. “Sorry…” He mumbled, embarrassed by the way his body reacted to something so small.

“It’s a natural reaction.” Hyunjin murmured, entirely distracted by just how perfect Minho’s body was. Every last inch of him was a gift from the heavens and he felt lucky to be feeling him up. “I’ll be quick.” He assured him, trying and failing to tear his eyes away from Minho’s stiffening cock, which strained with interest each time Hyunjin’s palms glided over a particularly sensitive area.

Felix watched with interest but his excitement at the scene was tamped out almost instantly with guilt. He shouldn’t have been fantasizing about what could happen between two of his best friends. It was his morbid sense of curiosity.

In an uncharacteristic burst of confidence, Minho scoffed and shook his head. “You’re learning all my tells before I get the chance to discover any of yours. How unfair.”

Hyunjin’s hands paused, his eyes locked on Minho’s messy chest as the air between them crackled with electricity. “Felix is watching.” His simple reminder brought Minho back to earth but didn’t ease the tension between them as his fingertips skimmed over the older man’s inner thighs. He took pride in the way Minho’s cock jumped, his own pants growing tight at the sight.

He didn’t bother to hide his excitement as he stood and backed away. “I think that’s about it. Let me add just a little more to your back and we’re good to go.”

“Can I see before we start?” Minho asked curiously. Was it a surprise?

“Of course.” Hyunjin smiled widely at the interest Minho was showing. “There’s a mirror just around the corner.” He gestured to a wall Minho had yet to pass by and the older man nodded, waiting patiently as warm hands danced across his back. One finger slid down his spine and he shuddered. Then Hyunjin was backing away, messy hands held up so as not to spread paint on his clothes. “Let me know what you think.”

Minho padded to the mirror, not bothering to hide his erection since they were all very aware of it by now. When he turned and looked over his shoulder, he let out a soft laugh. “I think you missed a spot.” He pointed out, taking in the lack of paint on his bare ass. There were a few strokes that dipped to the tops of his cheeks but other than that his ass was entirely devoid of color.

Hyunjin stepped around the corner and laughed immediately. “Looks like it.” He snorted and stepped closer, lifting his hands for emphasis. “May I?”

As soon as Minho nodded, Hyunjin’s large hands splayed across his ass, dragging the paint around in a sweeping motion as he fought the urge to knead his flesh. He admired his work as he stepped back, speaking again to break the tension he felt. “Turn for me.” He ordered in a gentle tone, checking to see if he’d missed anywhere else. “See anything else?”

“Maybe…here?” Minho gently grabbed Hyunjin’s wrist and guided his hand to his jaw. “And then drag down my throat?” The aesthetic of fingerprints on his jaw made his brain buzz in the most delightful way and he knew it’d look hot on camera.

“Perfect.” Hyunjin whispered as his grip tightened briefly before his fingers slid to wrap around Minho’s throat. Fuck I want to keep touching him, especially when his cock twitches like that…

“Then…are we ready?” Minho’s voice came out breathless and he suddenly hated how worked up he was. Sure it was a natural reaction like Hyunjin said, but it was bordering on humiliating being the only one naked and this turned on.

“We are. I’ll let Felix get you situated while I wash up.” He held his hands up once more and wiggled his fingers, wrinkling his nose adorably at the mess.

Felix, upon hearing his name, stepped around the corner with a curious expression. At the smiles he received, he led Hyunjin to the white canvas backdrop. “We’ll have you turn slightly to your left and sit down with your knees drawn up.” He instructed and Minho sat as he was told. “Perfect. When he comes back, I’ll get you to stretch your arms out in front of you and rest them on your knees.” Minho nodded and waited, biting back a grin at Felix's knowing expression. “Until then…isn’t his touch just…” His eyes rolled back and he let out a soft groan. “Perfect?”

“It’s actually embarrassing how hard I am.” Minho huffed out a laugh and looked away as his cheeks went a soft pink. “Is he always like that?”

“Pretty much.” The youngest shrugged, laughing at Minho’s pleasantly surprised expression. “Like I said: he’s a very sensual person and the tension is insane.” A mischievous grin took over his face and he wiggled his eyebrows. “Maybe you’ll get a chance to find out just how sensual he can be.”

“Not as long as you’re here.” Minho laughed awkwardly. “There’s only so much I’ll do for an audience.”

“Aww you’re no fun.” Felix’s fake pout earned an eye roll and he burst into laughter, instantly settling down when Hyunjin rejoined them.

“I’m gonna do a few test shots and then we’ll get into it. Can you drape your arms like he showed you? And lay your head down, eyes on me.” Hyunjin hummed, snapping a few shots and taking a deep breath at how perfect even the tests came out.

Luckily for Minho, he started to calm down and no longer felt like he was seconds away from falling apart. Halfway through the shoot, Felix got a call and stepped out. With shutter clicks the only sound filling the air between them, Hyunjin spoke after a few awkward minutes. “How long have you been modeling?”

“About two years now.” Minho hummed, shifting his pose at the younger man’s instruction.

“And how often do you do nude work?” Something in him twisted with a touch of jealousy at the idea of anyone else seeing Minho’s perfect body.

“This would be the first time being fully nude in front of a camera.” He explained with a hint of shyness in his voice. “I’ve posed in underwear before but never fully naked.” Hyunjin gave a pleased hum but kept his expression neutral. “How about you? How long have you been a photographer?”

“Oh it’s been years since I started. I only recently started gallery work though. I was doing events until about a year ago.” His eyes sparkled as he spoke and Minho’s heart thumped in his chest. He loved when people talked about their passions. He loved seeing the way their eyes lit up.

“What was that like?” He watched as Hyunjin pulled the stool over and perched on the edge when he was told to.

“It was fun! It was a lot of fun.” God his smile…

“What made you shift your focus to gallery work then?” Now he was curious. Hyunjin glowed when talking about events so why would he stop doing them?

“I just felt like it was time for a change. It was fun but it came with a lot of stress and I needed a break from that.” He explained softly, smiling again as he stepped behind the camera. “But I’ve met so many wonderful people through this avenue as well. Beautiful people too.” The way his eyes raked over Minho’s bare form as he pressed his tongue into his cheek was entirely deliberate.

The older man flushed even as he tipped his head back under Hyunjin’s instruction. The gaze was so intense it felt like a caress against his skin and he felt himself getting worked up again. He moved so his arm covered his lap and Hyunjin took notice, smirking when he realized his compliment and subsequent ogling had the desired effect.

“I think I’ve got everything I need for now.” He hummed after several minutes of comfortable silence, striding over to where his personal camera was packed away in a bag. Minho felt a bubble of disappointment in his chest at the sudden change in Hyunjin’s demeanor.

“Would you like a more…personal session now?” He turned, lifting his camera from the bag. “For our eyes only.”

Minho’s breath caught in his throat at the way Hyunjin looked at him and he nodded before he even knew what he was agreeing to. Why did he suddenly feel like he’d made a deal with the devil?

“Perfect.” Hyunjin didn’t know if he was referring to Minho’s agreement or the man himself as he made his way back to the tripod. “Then…” he busied himself with changing out his equipment before speaking again. “Turn to your right.” He ordered, his pants tightening once more as Minho’s dick came into view. He bit his lip to hide his smile when the older man tried to cover himself. “Don’t hide. These photos are for you and no one else.”

Minho nodded slowly and forced himself to relax, trusting that Hyunjin wouldn’t lie about this. This was a bit out of his comfort zone but he was willing to try anything once.

“Touch yourself for me, Min.” Hyunjin’s voice came out rough this time as his own cock strained with interest at the mere thought of Minho pleasing himself.

Minho wrapped a shaky hand around his shaft and his lip caught between his teeth at the first tug. His heart hammered in his chest at the pleased noise he heard from behind the camera and he gave another pass, swiping his thumb over the head with a small gasp. He’d been with plenty of people but he’d never been so affected by simply being watched.

He didn’t notice Hyunjin disrobing as he set a steady pace until a warm chest met his back. “Fucking perfect, baby. I can’t help myself, I need to feel you.” Minho took whatever Hyunjin was trying to press into his palm, shivering when his other hand was pushed away from his dick for Hyunjin’s hand to take its place instead. “Press this button,” he guided Minho's thumb to the correct button on the remote. “When you wanna capture something. I’m gonna take care of you.”

Minho didn’t even get a chance to nod before Hyunjin started stroking his cock, his opposite hand roaming his chest and abs. Fire lit under his skin at the contact and his head tipped back to rest on the taller man’s shoulder, his free hand tangling in Hyunjin’s long, dark hair. “Hyunjin-” he gasped his name when his thumb dug into the slit, his hips jerking.

“Jinnie.” He corrected. He liked hearing the nickname in bed. It sounded pretty when people whimpered for him. “Just Jinnie.” His voice was smooth, like liquid butter, and it made Minho’s pulse ratchet up as he nodded.

His jaw dropped when Hyunjin squeezed on the upstroke and he snapped a photo as a tiny whimper slipped from his mouth. “Jinnie-” he whined softly, squirming against the younger man’s chest when his nipple was lightly pinched.

Minho had never been too particular about whether he topped or bottomed so the way his body was being manipulated wasn’t foreign, it was delightful. In fact, it was already shaping up to be the best he’d ever had and they’d only just started. This was solidified when Hyunjin spoke.

“You sound so pretty, Min. Like you were made to moan my name. You sure you didn’t come here just to fuck me?” Hyunjin’s groan made his dick twitch and he whined again, partially from embarrassment at his obvious reaction. “You respond so well, baby. So pretty and perfect. Can’t wait for you to take my cock.”

“Jinnie…” Minho whimpered his name, jaw dropping once more when he felt lips close around his earlobe. “Oh-”

“You sensitive there, baby?” The older man nodded shyly and Hyunjin chuckled against his skin. “How cute.” He cooed as he sped up, his grip tightening just enough for Minho to see stars.

They stayed like that, Hyunjin stroking Minho’s cock and feeling him up with his other hand while Minho snapped photos every time Hyunjin pulled a particularly strong reaction out of him, until the coil in Minho's belly tightened. “Jinnie ‘m close-” he warned, his voice breaking off in a moan as his hips jerked.

“Yeah? Gonna make a mess of the art I made earlier?” Minho nodded furiously, a soft whine tearing from his throat. The goading and cooing always got to him and Hyunjin was a master at it. “Then do it. Cum for me, baby.” He coached, swiping his thumb over the head on every upstroke until he felt the beginnings of Minho’s orgasm.

Minho repeatedly hit the button, snapping a series of photos as he came undone. Molten pleasure filled his veins and he let out a loud cry of Hyunjin’s name as he shuddered with delight. His voice was pathetic and didn’t remotely sound like him as he bit back a series of soft moans and whines, watching helplessly while Hyunjin milked every last drop of cum from him.

Minho forced himself to release his hold on Hyunjin’s hair and instead reached behind him to palm at the bulge pressing against his lower back. He pouted when his hand was pushed away, the need to feel more of the younger man becoming overwhelming. “Why?”

“Lay down.” Hyunjin ordered softly, releasing him and stepping back to give him room to comply. As Minho scrambled to lay on the floor, Hyunjin hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his boxers and shoved them down his thighs. “Gonna fuck this pretty hole and make you scream for me. You want that?”

“So bad.” He nodded, eagerly accepting the two fingers Hyunjin pressed to his lips as he slotted himself between Minho's legs.

The younger man leaned down so his lips were right by Minho’s ear and opened his mouth to speak when a hand wrapped around his cock, pulling a low groan from him. “Shit, baby…” He pressed a tiny kiss to Minho's cheek in return before continuing, rocking his hips in time with the older man’s strokes. “You’re so eager. And fucking gorgeous. My fingerprints all over your body…I wish I could tattoo them on you so you’d never forget my touch.”

Oh, I won’t…

Minho let out a tiny moan in response, suppressing a gag when Hyunjin’s fingers pressed to the back of his throat. His grip tightened and his strokes sped up as he tried to finish Hyunjin before he got a chance to touch him. He wanted things to be entirely even. It was only fair.

All too soon, Hyunjin was pulling back and gently pushing Minho’s hand away.

“As much as I’m enjoying this, I need more.” The taller man hummed, pulling his fingers from Minho's mouth.

“Please-” He whined when he felt Hyunjin press a finger to his entrance. “I need you.” He fought the urge to pout when he wasn’t immediately stuffed full.

“Yeah? How bad?” The smirk on Hyunjin’s face made Minho’s stomach fill with butterflies.

Is he going to make me beg? Oh, who cares. He’s fucking beautiful. Minho needed him. Needed more. He’d do anything to have him inside. “So bad, Jinnie. Feel like I'll die if I don’t have you inside me soon.” He was barely done speaking when a long finger pressed inside.

“Fuck, baby, you’re so tight. Gonna take me so well…” Hyunjin’s groan reignited the flames beneath Minho’s skin but he barely had a chance to comprehend his words before soft, pouty lips met his own. He reached between them once more, set on pleasing Hyunjin while he was being stretched, but his wrist was caught and pinned above his head.

His dick twitched at the sensation of being restrained and he let out a small sound, grinding down against Hyunjin’s fingers as another was added. The taller man’s tongue plundered his mouth the second he parted his lips and Minho made another sound as he sucked on Hyunjin’s tongue, earning a low growl in return.

Minho was quick to press the button again, capturing the moment in high definition. Hyunjin heard the click of the shutter and pulled back with a groan. “You’re killing me…” His lips tugged into a smirk. “Think you’re ready? I need to feel you.”

“So fucking ready, Jinnie.” Minho nodded eagerly, disappointment bubbling in his chest when Hyunjin pulled his hand away after scissoring his fingers one last time. He tamped it down when he felt the blunt head of the younger man’s cock pressing against his entrance.

“Last chance. You sure?”

“Just fuck me already, Hyunjin.” He demanded, the last syllable pitching upward in an embarrassing moan as he was filled in one swift move. It almost hurt how quickly Hyunjin pushed into him but that made him love it even more.

“Fucking hell- you’re so tight.” The taller man bit his pillowy bottom lip, his face dropping to Minho’s neck. He inhaled deeply, head spinning at his spicy vanilla scent. This must be what Heaven smells like… He held still, waiting for Minho to relax against him. The second he did, he’d rail him.

The sheer size of him almost made it difficult for Minho to adjust but after a few minutes, he tentatively rocked his hips, earning a hiss from the other man. As he turned his head in the hopes of kissing Hyunjin’s ear, a sharp thrust knocked a loud moan from him. “Jinnie-”

Hyunjin set an unforgiving pace, his hips snapping furiously. Each thrust drew out another sound from the gorgeous man beneath him and he was certain he’d become addicted to Minho’s noises if they continued like this. He pulled back to look down at him and bit his lip hard at the visual of his fingerprints on Minho’s jaw. His hands itched to wrap around the older man’s throat but he refrained.

“You look so fucking pretty, baby…” He praised, watching as Minho’s jaw went slack and his head tipped back. He couldn’t help but pinch a paint-covered nipple, his dick throbbing at the whimper his actions elicited. “Sound pretty too.”

Minho’s cheeks flamed at the compliments and he had to fight the urge to hide his face in Hyunjin’s neck. Instead, he snapped another photo. The sound of the camera was the last straw for Hyunjin and he let out a soft growl as he tangled a fist in Minho's hair. “You’re driving me fucking crazy, Min.”

Instantly, Minho was scrambling to tug Hyunjin’s free hand towards his throat. “Please.” He whispered before sucking in a gasp as Hyunjin hit his most sensitive point. “Please-” He begged louder this time, frantically trying to wrap Hyunjin’s fingers around his throat.

“Filthy boy…” A dark smile took over Hyunjin’s face as he closed his hand around Minho’s throat, hips working faster, if that was possible. As soon as the younger man’s grip tightened, Minho shuddered in delight and snapped another photo.

“Kiss me.” He whispered, whimpering loudly a moment later at the rough thrust that hit his prostate deliciously. Hyunjin obliged with no hesitation, squeezing Minho’s throat harder and making his head spin at the lack of blood circulation. It was perfect.

Hyunjin’s teeth grazed Minho’s lip before he bit down and tugged back, groaning when the older man clenched around him. He was getting close and that almost did him in. He pulled back briefly to warn Minho. “Careful, baby. You don’t want to finish me just yet.”

Oh but he did. Minho was teetering right on the edge already and he wanted to be filled to the brim with cum. He needed it. “Jinnie ‘m close-” he warned breathlessly.

“Already? How cute.” Minho whined at his mocking tone, groaning when they locked lips again. He wouldn’t ask permission to cum but he’d still wanted some sort of acknowledgement beyond taunting.

Minho felt the knot in the pit of his belly begin to unravel and laid on the remote, snapping as many photos as he could. His moans pitched upward and his eyes rolled back as he came undone, his back arching off the floor as the full force of his orgasm hit him.

Even as he came down from his high, Hyunjin didn’t give him a break. He pulled out and took their cocks in one hand, stroking them together. The overstimulation was almost painful for the older man as a third orgasm was ripped from his body.

When Minho was a boneless puddle on the floor, Hyunjin finally relented. “One more, baby. Can you do that for me? Can you gimme one more?”

“J- ah- just one-” Minho bit his lip hard as tears built behind his eyes. He could feel another orgasm coming and he wasn’t sure if he could handle it. He needed a break from the onslaught of pleasure. But he also wanted to please Hyunjin and that desire had won out, all other needs washed away by the sweat that dropped onto his skin from the younger man’s chin.

“Good boy.” Hyunjin’s voice came out strained as his orgasm approached. He’d been holding back for a while now, wanting to play with Minho a while longer. But when he saw his face going red as tears welled in his eyes, he knew it was time to give him a break. “Where do you want it, baby?”

Minho debated in his head. Did he want to wear it? Or would he prefer to have it all inside? He hesitated a moment too long because the choice was ripped from him a few seconds later. Ropes of hot cum decorated his already-messy stomach and his body trembled with his own orgasm at the sensation.

“Jinnie-” He cried the taller man’s name as he came for the fourth and final time, his whole body burning. Tears finally spilled from his eyes, though it was short-lived as they quickly dried. His thighs trembled and his chest heaved. He let out a disapproving whine when Hyunjin pulled away but quickly silenced himself when he realized he was going for the camera.

“Just a few more shots, hmm?” Hyunjin grinned lazily as he carefully took the camera from its place on the tripod before padding back over to where Minho still lay in a heap on the floor. “I want you to see how pretty you look from my point of view.” He explained as he settled back between Minho’s legs, urging them around his hips.

Minho couldn’t hide his tiny smile as Hyunjin snapped a series of photos, making sure to capture the paint and cum decorating his stomach. He couldn’t bring himself to be embarrassed about being fully nude on camera as he basked in the afterglow of his orgasms. It felt…right.

After a few minutes of photos, Hyunjin carefully placed the camera on the stool and collapsed beside Minho. “That was fucking amazing.” The older man nodded in agreement, turning on his side to face Hyunjin, who now had a mischievous grin on his face. “What are the chances you’ll come model for me again soon?”

[writerblue275]

(Best)FWB!Ezreal Headcanons (18+)

Inspiration: This was one of the of ideas that got me to start this account lol. I’m also in the process of writing a fic based on this idea and it would be so much easier to just reference this post in the header rather than explain everything in the prose.

Champion: Ezreal (like Pilty!Ezreal/Explorer!Ezreal)

Genre: Headcanon

Category: TINIEST amount of angst but primarily FLUFF and SMUT - I mean what were you expecting. We're talking about best friends with benefits here. Typically the benefits are of an adult nature. 18+ ONLY. MINORS DO NOT INTERACT.

Length: This is a looooong one, friends. In my defense, I'm using this headcanon as world-building/background information for at least 1 future fic (It's quickly turning into multiple parts lmao).

Gender: Fem!Reader/reader who is fem presenting? Ahhhh even my non-binary ass doesn't know how to describe this...mention of dresses and stuff.

TW: Adult themes. Friends with benefits, reference to adult activities and kinks. For example: semi-public petting or Dom/sub dynamics. Slight mention of what (probably) happened to his parents and the emotional fallout of that. Mention of alcohol (always drink responsibly y’all). Swearing (as per usual).

Important context: I know game Ez’s age is a bit debated, though generally agreed on somewhere in early to early-mid-20s. For adult Ez in this, let’s say he’s like 23-24? Also Indiana Jones exists in this universe because DAMNIT I WANT TO CALL HIM INDIANA JONES AS A NICKNAME.

SFW

Your father is a history professor at the academy who knows/works with Ezreal’s uncle, Professor Lymere, and who often collaborated with Ez’s parents before they disappeared. Archeology and history go hand-in-hand, after all.

These collaborations led to you and Ezreal being together often as kids since you were around the same age, and a close friendship developed.

To the point of casual physical affection (hugs, hand holding, occasional cuddles) and silly nicknames for each other. He calls you princess, you call him…idiot mostly. (Jk…kinda.) You’ve called him Indiana Jones for forever since he was just as fascinated about archeology/artifacts as his parents.

You have called him an idiot many times though, especially when he’s been extremely rash and reckless.

At various points in your friendship, people have seen the two of you and assumed you had to be dating. It’s hysterical to both of you.

“Me dating Ezreal?! Nah, he’s just my best friend.”

“(Y/N)?? Absolutely not. We’re just best friends.”

You’re one of the few people who can humble Ezreal, a specialty of yours since early on in your friendship.

You: *In your father’s office studying while he teaches a lecture to one of his classes in a nearby lecture hall*

Ez: *Runs into the office, breathlessly laughing as he leans against the now closed door, holding a toupee*

You: *Eyebrows raise* Whatcha got there, Ez?

Ez: *grins* One of the campus warden’s toupees!

You: *Stares at him for a second and sighs* You’re a moron….*goes back to studying*

After his parents’ disappearance, you were understandably worried for Ezreal. You watched as your best friend struggled through the stages of grief, and even worse, stalled before he could get to the acceptance stage of what most likely happened.

You were always there to listen when he needed an ear. Even more importantly you tried to serve as a voice of reason once Ez started planning his own expedition to find the final resting place of Ne’Zuk.

You never said anything to completely dissuade him, because you wanted him to follow his heart and his dreams, but you couldn’t help but worry. With what likely happened to his parents, you were utterly terrified he wouldn’t come back, especially considering his stubbornness, his recklessness, and his age. Losing your best friend was a thought you just couldn’t stomach.

Only you knew about his plan to sneak onto a supply ship bound for Nashramae. You sent him off in the middle of the night with a giant hug and a “Be safe, Indiana Jones. You better come back alive…Write when you can…”

After a second he pulled back from the hug, gave you a signature Ez smirk, and said, “You know me well enough to know I’ll be fine, princess…”

Once he did set off, you had to convincingly act as though you didn’t know where he went. It was difficult, especially seeing how distraught his uncle was once he read Ez’s note, but your loyalty was to your friend.

It was torment waiting for any sort of news. Ez wasn’t exactly going to the most populated areas.

Thankfully, he did eventually return, excited to show off his new gauntlet, using it often to flash behind you and scare you.

“Ez, I swear if you keep scaring me, I cannot be held responsible for any damage to your stupid handsome face.”

*Smirk* “Handsome eh?”

“…Shut up…f-forget I said anything…the last thing you need is an inflated ego.”

But he didn’t forget.

Over the years as he gained notoriety and fame from his adventures, you were one of the few people who didn’t treat him any differently from how you had in the past.

As much as his ego craved the validation and fame, hoping they’d be enough to draw his parents back (god damn this man needs HELLA therapy), having someone who just treated him as Ezreal, not as the prodigal explorer, was really nice…

Once he was a little older, when he started getting invites to parties and banquets to talk about his adventures, you became his go-to date.

As he told you, “It’s just easier than dealing with the rabid fans. Also you’re good-looking, and I need someone with me that helps make me look good.”

That earned him a sarcastic eye roll and “Thanks, I guess?” from you.

With the fame and scale of his adventures, Ez collected a decent amount of wealth on top of what his family already had. As thanks for being his go-to plus-one, he’d always take care of the cost of your clothes and accessories for these events, sometimes even buying outfits for you himself; things that he thought would look good on you. He has shockingly good taste and understands your sense of style very well. (SUGAR DADDY FRIEND EZ, ANYONE?)

It was about a year and a half ago that things in your friendship changed. He’d been gone almost 3-months chasing a particularly legendary relic rumored to be surrounded by an incredible number of traps that were said to be impassable.

“Impassable” is Ez’s specialty, as you know.

Of course, his exuberant return made him a popular invite to all the parties. Everyone wanted to hear the tales of Piltover’s prodigal explorer.

You were just fucking relieved to have your best friend home, alive, and in one piece.

NSFW

It was after one of these fancy parties when things popped off. There’d been an open bar during the dancing portion of the evening. Both of you were tipsy. Both of you were giggly. Ez gave you a piggy back ride home since you decided to kick off your incredibly uncomfortable heels the second you stepped outside. (What a gentleman.)

Once you arrived at your apartment, you invited him to stay the night as he always did since it was so late. Of course he agreed, grabbing the extra set of comfy clothes he stashed there for such situations and going to change while you prepared the couch for your usual post-event chats, setting up, pillows, blankets, snacks, and water.

As he came out of the hallway to the living room where you were, you could feel his gaze glued to you as you bent down to prep some things*

You: *blushing a little and not looking up at him* “Yes?”

Ez: *smirks* I thought that dress would look incredible on you, and I was right….you look even sexier than usual…

You looked up at him with wide eyes, your cheeks DEFINITELY pinker as your mind took a second to register what he said* “You thought about how I’d look in this? W-wait…you think I’m sexy?”

He just grinned and shrugged his shoulders. “Of course I did and of course I do. I’ve told you before that you’re good looking. Do you remember when you accidentally blurted out that I was handsome? Do you still think I am?”

You weren’t sure if it was the alcohol or your curiosity about the direction of this conversation that had you saying, “Yes I do. I’ve thought that for a long time. But, I don’t understand why that matters? You’re my best friend, Ezreal, and to be honest, dating you sounds like a nightmare. I already worry enough about you when you’re on your expeditions. Adding deeper feelings into that sounds like a one-way express ticket to driving myself insane.”

Ez chuckled, “Who said anything about dating or deeper feelings? Feelings are the last thing I need in my life (again THERAPY, MY GUY). But, the way I see it, I’m physically attracted to you, you’re physically attracted to me, neither of us want feelings involved beyond what our friendship is now….that sounds like an arrangement that is mutually beneficial…”

You straightened up and folded your arms together as you contemplate his words. “So like a…friends with benefits sort of thing?”

Ez grinned. “More like best friends with benefits, but yes. I have needs. I’m assuming based on the fact that you’re currently not seeing anyone either that you also have needs. We’ve helped each other out with problems many times….why not help each other with this one?”

Ok, but why was he making so much sense??

He was also right. You’d been going through a hell of a dry spell as of late. And hey, when it comes to people, you trust Ezreal more than anyone else. You’d also be lying to yourself if you said you didn’t find him extremely attractive. All of these reasons pinged around your mind until finally…

“Yes…ok…yes….tonight can serve as a test of sorts…but I’m not finalizing anything until tomorrow morning when both of us are stone cold sober. I have conditions, but they don’t apply at the moment. Got it?”

His response was an frantic nod and an eager “Got it,” as he stepped closer and reached for your waist to pull you to him.

Your response was to turn around and move your hair to the side. “Ah ah ah. First help me with my zipper…then show me what you can do, pretty boy…”

And BOY DID HE. Quite honestly he blew your mind (and your back out 😉). But we’ll get to that later on.

The important conversation happened the next morning after you two woke up tangled with each other.

Ez sat up and stretched, and you couldn’t help it as you sleepily reached over and gently ran your fingers along his abs.

He gave you a sleepy smirk and eyebrow raise before murmuring, “Already want another round, princess?”

This resulted in you pinching him before you also pulled yourself up, not even caring that he was baldly admiring you as you stretched. “I tentatively agree to this arrangement, Ez, but I want to talk about limits/conditions. Let’s talk as we get breakfast ready…”

Your conditions: 1. While this arrangement is in place, he’s not sleeping with anyone else and that includes on expeditions. You don’t want the chance for any sort of disease. 2. If either of you falls for another person, the arrangement needs to end (obviously you two would talk about it so the other knows what’s going on). 3. This can’t fuck up your friendship. Even if things physically end, your friendship needs to remain intact. You don’t want to lose your best friend. 4. No falling in love with each other.

Ez easily agreed to your terms and laid out his own: 1. He’ll see you when he gets home from expeditions and while he’s in Piltover. 2. If he’s not sleeping with anyone else, he hopes you won’t either. 3. He wants you to take care of yourself mentally (a bit ironic), physically, and emotionally, especially while he’s gone. (He won’t admit it, but when he’s on his explorations, he thinks/worries about you often and wonders if you’re doing alright.) 4. He wants to continue to buy you gifts and clothes, and he also wants to start including lingerie in said gifts if you tell him your sizes and style preferences.

The last one surprised you. “Lingerie? Why? That seems pretty intimate for fuck buddies. I certainly don’t expect such gifts from you.”

He was unfazed, instead just grinning and chuckling at the surprise on your face. “Believe it or not, it’s almost more for me than you. Undressing you will be like unwrapping my own present.”

Strangely enough you couldn’t find any fault with that logic.

You agreed to all his terms, and the two of you did a little hand shake to finalize things. A strangely small gesture to seal a massive change in your friendship.

(*Clears throat*) And now for the important part…

Definitely NSFW - AKA How is Ez as a FWB?

With an ego like his, you might think Ez is a selfish lover.

And you know what, maybe to start he is, but you shut that shit down IMMEDIATELY. Remember, you’re one of the only ones who can humble this man.

Once you make it clear that this arrangement will not be one-sided in pleasure if he wants it to continue, he makes sure to act RIGHT.

Like he really makes sure to blow your back out every single time (hell yeah go you).

A large part of his initial “selfishness” is hesitance. You two have known each other forever, but certainly not in this way. You telling him off? Honestly it reminds him that this is still you, his best friend, who he knows better than just about anyone. He is just learning about another side of you.

That is a confidence boost to him and banishes any insecurities he has.

(Unlike Heartsteel Ez who I see very primarily as a sub) Ez is a true switch maybe even leaning a little dom.

Whatever you need him to be, he can be.

Ezreal can be VERY PLAYFUL. Your normal friendship is filled with laughter and teasing, and your friendship in the bedroom is no different.

That doesn’t mean he can’t be serious though, he absolutely can be.

He’s the extremely teasing type, expertly working you up with just a couple touches in public or private and then making you wait.

For example, at those fancy dinners you go to with him? If anyone bothers to look under the tablecloth they'll see his hand on you, thumb tracing shapes into the fabric of your dress high up on your thigh, while he casually recounts the harrowing details of his adventures.

There you are, just sitting there trying to keep a straight face and not blush. He does it often enough you think you’d be used to it by now but NOPE.

You’re really glad no one expects you to tell any stories at those things because every time his hand creeps onto your thigh, your brain short circuits a little bit. Trying to tell a story or hold more than a passing conversation would be incredibly difficult.

And he KNOWS IT TOO. Once he’s not speaking, he always looks over at you and gives you a little smirk.

And if you do the same to him when he’s not telling stories? He will not stop leaning over and softly complaining in your ear.

You take great pleasure in whispering in his ear, “Can’t handle what you dish out? This is what you get, you teasing fuck.” (Or something similar lol.) Then you pass everything off as normal with a very quick, friendly, and casual kiss on the cheek which makes HIS brain short circuit a little bit.

Very touchy and LOUD in bed, especially when you’re on top. To the point you have had to cover his mouth with your hand and threaten to STOP riding him if he doesn’t get himself together and be quieter. He knows damn well how thin apartment walls in Piltover are.

Eventually you just gag him with something, because let’s be honest, it’s an empty threat. You definitely DON’T want to stop and he’s well aware of that.

When he’s on top though, Ez intentionally will do things that cause your sounds to get louder, making no attempts to quiet you. Instead he just smirks down at you and whispers in your ear, “Is that all you’ve got, princess? I know you can get louder than that…don’t hold back for me…”

Don’t be afraid to mark him. Feeling your nails dig into his shoulders/back or feeling you mark his collarbone with hickeys drives him absolutely wild.

Very very VERY good at dirty talk. His wit and sass translate extremely well to more intimate contexts. And when you dirty talk right back at him? He loves it when you’re just as playful as he is. His favorite is when you murmur something filthy in his ear and follow it up with a playful little nip somewhere.

Loves tying you up and loves being tied up, as well as using blindfolds.

Not the most attentive with aftercare, but hey, your arrangement isn’t romantic so you don’t mind. He at least stays the night/for breakfast and cuddles you which is honestly more than you thought he’d do.

It might be a bit inconsistent concerning WHEN you see Ezreal since who knows when he’ll come back from his expeditions, but whenever he is in Piltover, the two of you certainly have a good time. Besides, it’s good to know your best friend is home safe…at least until he sets off on another adventure.

Thank you for reading!! Omg I had so much fun with this one. And I’m already enjoying writing the associated fic. It was literally just supposed to be a one-shot and now there’s absolutely going to be multiple parts, so keep an eye out for that!

[obsessivestar]

'What If It's All A RomCom?' - a Ted Nivison x Reader

{{-Here's Chapter 9! Sorry for the delay, next Chapter will be spicy to make up for it, promise ;^) enjoy y'all-}}

//General Warnings: 18+ Fic (MINORS DNI), Reader implied to be afab and under 5'5

Chapter Warnings: Lots of flirting, sexual thoughts, hints of Dom Teddy, Smash Bros mentioned (the game LMAO)\\

Word Count: 4.2k

☆▪︎▪︎▪︎Taglist!▪︎▪︎▪︎☆

@k-k0129 & @callsign-scully

☆Love ya to death☆

*gif made by me*

Chapter 9: Hey Baby

Ted and I eventually got out of the pool so we could dry off enough to film the next scene. Putting on his white hoodie honestly made this one of my favourite scenes to film, strictly because it smelled like him. Pine and vanilla. It was such a distinct but subtle smell and the warmth of the hoodie felt like he was giving me a gentle hug. I couldn't stop smiling but I had to keep my cool in front of the film crew, I didn't want them knowing about Ted and I just yet. I'm not even sure if I'll ever want them to know, if I can help it. It's not really any of their business. However, one of the members of the wardrobe team seemed to notice that there was a difference in my demeanor around Ted, commenting on how I had grown more comfortable in scenes with him. I didn't mind it, I don't think they were implying anything. Even if they were, Ted didn't seem to care, so neither will I.

The rest of the day went by fairly quickly after that, mostly because Ted and I needed to be completely dried for the next couple scenes, only to have to get right back into the pool for another kiss scene once the sun had set. They had given him some some funny looking swim trunks and gave me a full one-piece bathing suit, so at least we'd be in the proper attire this time. We were filming quite late at night, the only thing lighting the area were the bright blue lights in the pool and a few LED panels Tanner had set up by the cameras. It was a simple but very romantic scene. Ted would swim over to me and pull me in by my waist near the shallow end. I'd loosely wrap my arms around his neck and we'd share an intimate, longing kiss. Ted let out a content hum in a particular retake of the kiss, his thumb caressing my skin under the water. That wasn't for the camera, that was for me. It made my heart flutter.

When the night ended, the crew helped dry off Ted and I one last time so we could turn in for the night and change into our PJ's. I had a quick shower to wash out any chlorine that might've been in my hair, then moved into my room to change and settle into bed. I'm sitting in bed, still sort of drying my hair with a towel when I heard a knock at my door. I look over and furrow my brows in confusion. Who could that be?

"Come in." I call out to the door, sitting up a bit more and setting the towel aside.

It's Ted. Again, in a white tank top and some dark, loose pajama pants. "Hey, you're never gonna believe this.." Ted's giving me a cheeky smile, leaning a little against my door frame. "Tanner fell asleep in my room again.."

I raise a brow at him, giving a suspicious smirk. "Oh yeah? He took your bed again?"

"Yeah, he did." Ted confirmed without hesitation, keeping his hand on the doorknob.

"Really?" I let a little chuckle escape me, crossing my arms. "Two nights in a row?"

"Yeah. And my laptop is still in here."

"Mhmm, yes it is."

"So I could...do more work in here."

"You could do more work in here?"

"Yeah."

"Just work?"

"...maybe a little more. Can I come in?.."

I give him a knowing smile and roll my eyes. Last night I believed him. Tonight? Not so much. "So Tanner's in your room right now?" I ask, pointing down a little.

"Yeah. Fast asleep." Ted confirms again, toying with my door a little.

"So if I were to..get up and go check your room, he'd be in there?"

"Oh, you wanna check out my room, princess?"

"To see if Tanner's there, yes. I--"

"If you'd rather go in my room, that's perfectly fine. Mine's got cleaner sheets."

An annoyed groan leaves me as I lean my head back, smiling and rolling my eyes. This motherfucker. "Fuck you, I replaced my sheets earlier and you're not ruining these ones.."

"Ok, I didn't ruin them, you did." Ted gestures over at me with a confident grin. "I'm not sayin' I'd deny a second round if you wanted it, but that ain't what I'm here for."

"So what are you here for?"

"My laptop. To do some work."

"But you can't go in your room to do it."

"Well, If you wanted to go in my room instead, I could arrange that."

"I thought Tanner was in there?"

"I could kick him out for you."

I sigh deeply, looking over Ted's self-assured smile before shaking my head, patting the empty side of the bed with a defeated chuckle. "Get over here, you moron.."

Ted's grin widens as he steps into my room, closing the door behind him. I thought maybe he would reach for his laptop that was under the bed and sit down next to me, but he comes right for me instead, climbing onto the bed to crawl over top of me somewhat. I feel my cheeks burn up, moving my hands back to hold my body up when he'd go in for a kiss, a nervous hum leaving me in response.

"I thought--" I talk into the kiss, causing him to move back a little with a curious tilt of his head.

"Mmm? That's new for you.." Ted teased with a purr

"Shut up.." I try to resist the urge to smile, but I fail big time, looking away from him for a moment. "I thought you were getting your laptop to work..."

"Oh, that thing? Nah, it's dead. I'll charge it tomorrow. I'm here for you."

"Oh you motherfucker. I hate you.."

"You don't hate this.."

Ted brings his hand to lightly grab my jaw, forcing me to look his way once more so he could kiss me again, holding himself up with one of his arms. I let out a flirty chuckle as I kiss him back, loosely wrapping my arms around his neck to pull him more into the bed. We don't go all the way tonight, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to. Just being close to this man like this causes all kinds of me to purr. We made out for a good little while, at one point I had nearly straddled his thigh, but we had an even earlier morning tomorrow and couldn't risk doing any more, so we fall asleep in each other's arms once again.

The next morning was still a drag, even with the good sleep I got. Waking up in Ted's embrace again was nice and all, but I was grumpy for most of the morning and he wasn't making it any easier. Ted is definitely a morning person. Me? Not so much. He was all bubbles and sunshine once we got downstairs. I was the complete opposite. Besides some groggy 'goodmorning's, I didn't say a single word to anyone until I got that first cup of coffee and even then it was difficult to film some of the bright and early scenes with him. He'd speak a line perfectly, I'd completely forget mine and he'd tease me about it with this big, stupid smile on his face. It's like he knew something about today that I didn't and he was toying with me. He was purposely trying to get on my nerves without crossing any lines.

"Look...I...I like you and all, Ted, but I--"

"You just called me Ted again."

"...Fuck me, did I? I did?" I look over at Tanner and the film crew with a tired smile as they start snickering and laughing. Poor Tanner gives me a quiet nod, a chuckle leaving him as well. "What the fuck is your name supposed to be again?" I ask with a weary cackle, trying to rub my eyes without smudging any makeup.

"Mason." A bunch of people speak out his character's name at the same time, including Ted. After pouring a second cup of coffee for myself, we were able to get through the scene. As much as I tried to power through it, it was not a good morning.

It got a little easier once I was given an early break to go over the script and brainstorm some ideas with Tanner in the kitchen while the wardrobe team brought Ted over to that little tent in the living room I went in yesterday.

"Is it Ted's turn to wear 10 different brands of foundation?" I joke with Tanner, sitting at the kitchen table with my legs crossed.

"No, he's going through different suits." Tanner explained, leaning back against his chair. "We're kinda torn between a couple outfits for the ballroom sequence. The team wants to see what aesthetic fits him so we can decide on the era."

"I thought you guys already had an idea?" I ask, taking a peek at the script. "We were gonna go with fantasy, weren't we?"

"We were, when it was you and Conner. I just don't think fantasy fits Ted. We're shooting for realism this time. More...50's-60's era. Maybe a little older."

A knowing smile spreads along my lips, taking a sip of my second cup of coffee. That's actually kinda perfect. Ted and I are essentially going to be cosplaying one of my favourite eras of the real world.

"You guys wanna see Ted in his first suit?" Joe peeks into the kitchen with a big grin on his face. "We need help with voting.."

Tanner and I look at each other with excited expressions, for our own reasons of course, before immediately getting up and moving into the living room to watch this little fashion show. Joe and Tanner moved the couch back a little so Ted could simply step out of the clothing tent to show off whatever he had on

"Did you bring fucking everyone over here, you asshole?" Ted curses at Joe from behind the dark partition, peeking up passed the top of it. He was taller than the damn thing so we could always see his hair and some of his forehead behind it, unless he squats down.

"Of course I did! You need voters!" Joe chuckles, sitting down on the couch next to Tanner and I.

"They're just different colored suits!" Ted chuckles, holding out a bundle of different colored suits in one hand. "What's there to vote on? They all look the same!"

"I mean, some of them are different colors..." Tanner added, pointing at the bundle of suits Ted was holding out.

"Ted if you wrinkle up any of those fucking suits, I swear to God.." Joe huffs, getting up to swat Ted's hand away. "They're meant to represent different decades of history. Put one on."

"Is that why one of these have a duck flap in the back?"

"Is that the one you have on right now?"

"Yeah."

"Then come out and show it already!"

I hear Ted let out a little huff, stepping out from behind the partition to show off the first suit. It looked like a normal black and white suit, fitted with a blue and white striped tie and a sleek black jacket with a longer section in the back. He looked...a little goofy.

"I feel like..." I pause, leaning forward a little as I look over the suit with my eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"I feel like it's missing something." Tanner finishes my thought for me, giving the same slightly confused expression.

"He could wear a top hat. We could get him a top hat." Joe suggested with a little smirk, but no one really liked the idea. Tanner and I shake our heads.

"I look like I belong in a Panic At The Disco music video.." Ted chuckles with a little shrug, looking at everyone's visible disapproval.

"Alright fine, next suit." Joe huffed, playfully pushing Ted back behind the partition so he could change into the next suit.

The next hour was spent waiting for Ted to change into the next suit so he could come out and show them off, always getting mixed responses regardless of what he was wearing. He came out in a light brown plaid suit with a dark brown tie, Joe liked it, Tanner and I didn't. He came out in a baby blue suit, Tanner liked it, Joe and I didn't. He came out in an all white suit, I kind of liked it but Joe and Tanner weren't impressed and finally, he tried on a dark brown suit and none of us liked it, Ted included. It started to feel like we were putting too much thought into this.

"Why don't I put on just the regular fuckin' black suit we have back here?" Ted asks from behind the partition, tossing the brown suit jacket to the side.

"I just--" Joe sighs, sitting back down on the couch with Tanner and I "I'm worried it's going to look boring."

"Black suits aren't fuckin' boring, Yo-seph." Ted replies, glancing over the partition at Joe. "They're only boring if you make them boring."

"I feel like it depends on who's wearing them.." I add, crossing one of my legs over the other. "Like, Tanner could probably wear a grey suit and look great."

"Awe. Thanks." Tanner gives me a genuine smile. "I could probably wear a grey suit and look great. I think Joe would look good in the baby blue suit."

"Maybe. I liked the lighter brown one.." Joe admitted with a little shrug. "I might steal it when we're done. Are we allowed to steal stuff from set?"

"I mean..." Tanner pauses, glancing up as he thought about it. "Probably, as long as the college doesn't yell at me about it, take whatever you want."

Our conversation is cut short by the sound of Ted stepping out from behind the partition one last time, showing off the next fit.

🎶Hey baby, hey baby, hey!

Girls say, boys say

Hey baby, hey baby, hey 🎶

Ted comes out in a simple white button up shirt with a loose black tie attached and black slacks held up by a pretty black belt, holding the black suit jacket over his shoulder with one hand with his other hand in his pocket. Joe and Tanner have completely perked up, talking with Ted with excited smiles. I can't focus on anything they're saying, my eyes completely fixed on Ted's attire. I don't know why, but this outfit did something to me, REALLY did something to me. I felt my body physically react when he first stepped out, my eyes lingering over the outfit. I had to cross my legs. The sleeves were rolled up a little, and the shirt was tucked into his pants nicely. The entire fit looked comfortable. My gaze wanders along Ted's hairy arms and electric watch, noticing his hand fidget in his pocket. My eyes fix onto his belt for a moment until I can hear my name being repeated, a light blush appearing on my face when I realize Ted's been looking at me. If he caught me staring at his belt, I'm gonna kill myself.

"I think they like this one.." Joe's giving me a knowing grin, raising his brows at me when I look at him.

"Oh yeah, she's lost in it. This is the one." Ted snickers a little, adjusting his round glasses on his face.

"Don't--" A nervous chuckle leaves me, tucking a little of my hair behind my ear. "Don't patronize me, he looks...he looks fine. It works."

"This is literally just the outfit I wore for my barbie video, minus the jacket." Ted admits, hooking the suit jacket over the top of the partition.

"I mean, if that's what you want to go with, that's perfect for Mason. Glad to see everyone approves." Tanner smiles and gives a single clap, standing up from the couch. It seemed like Tanner had no idea why Joe and Ted were teasing me, he was just happy we had all finally agreed on something.

"Should I change out of this?" Ted asks, picking at the front of his shirt a little.

"Do you want to?" Tanner asks, raising a brow at Ted. "You're done filming today, so you could.."

"Oh yeah, I want to." Ted smiles with a little nod, glancing at me briefly. Oh he knows. He knows.

"Sure. Go right ahead." Tanner shrugs and nods back before gesturing Joe to help him move the couch back.

Ted may have been done filming today, but I wasn't. I worked alongside Tanner and Dan during the rest of the afternoon with more silent establishing shots where I was supposed to be thinking and stressing about my character's relationship with Mason, pacing around the living room in some scenes while sitting and thinking by the kitchen counter in other's. Fitting, somewhat. Ted was there to watch every take, keeping his eyes on me throughout all of it. Every now and then, he'd do little things that would catch my attention. He'd slip his hands into his pockets, he'd sway a little in place, he'd glide his tongue along the inside of his mouth and check me out. Whenever Tanner and Dan weren't paying attention, I'd shoot Ted a glare or even flash the middle finger. I was trying to show that his silent flirting wasn't doing anything, but God was it hard not to swoon.

I don't even know what was happening to me. Ted showed us the barbie video a couple nights ago, I've seen this fit, it didn't affect me at all before. Now, I find myself taking any chance I can get to look at the belt he had on when he isn't looking. I think about how it'll sound to unbuckle it, I think about his hands being in my hair, grabbing my jaw, caressing my cheek, praising or even demeaning me. I'd kill to get this version of Ted in my room.

Man, am I fucking ovulating or something? What the fuck is wrong with me?

The moment it got really bad was closer to the end of the night. Everyone was packing up the wardrobe tent in the living room while I made myself a cup of tea in the kitchen. I was fully facing the counter so I couldn't see anything going on behind me, my attention fixed on my phone. I thought I heard someone walk behind me, but I figured it was Tanner or something just trying to walk by me. Boy, was I wrong.

I feel something slightly press up against me from behind. "Watcha watchin'?"

I hear Ted's low purr in my ear, and my face immediately heats up, quickly turning myself around to see Ted was right there. Right in front of me.

"Y-You scared the shit out of me.." I huff, slipping my phone into my pocket. "It was just TikTok.."

"You feelin' alright? You've been all over the place today.." Ted gives me a confident smile, leaning in a little more to rest his hand on the counter behind me, slipping his other hand into his pockets.

"T-Ted.." I feel my face heat up a little more, trying to lean away from him. He had me cornered once more, though this time we weren't alone. "Th-The crew is still here..."

"What about em'? We're just talkin'." Ted shrugs casually, glancing down at my lips. "Nothin' wrong with talkin.."

"You're not lookin' at me like you wanna be 'talkin''" I glare at him, resting both of my hands back on the edge of the counter.

"Oh, I definitely don't." Ted doesn't hesitate to agree. "I don't think you wanna be talkin' either.."

"What gives you that impression?"

"The way you've been lookin' at me."

"I haven't been looking anywhere." A chuckle leaves me and I roll my eyes. "I've been doing my job today, Ted."

"Mmm, and staring at my pants was part of your job today, yeah?"

I can't hide the heavy blush that spreads along my cheeks, locking eyes with Ted with a defeated sigh. I hate this man. I hate what he does to me. "I was looking at your belt, actually..." I corrected, giving him a small smile.

"Ohhh, you don't even deny it this time.." Ted purrs at me again, his hand slowly moving from the counter to inch closer to mine. "You wanna help me take it off later?.."

Ted and I are interrupted by the sound of Tanner calling out to him from the living room, asking him to come help with packing away the camera's. Ted let's out an annoyed huff and pulls away from me, slightly trailing his hand along mine briefly. "Oh we ain't done here, princess.." Ted looks me over one last time before finally moving out of the kitchen to go help Tanner, giving me a chance to breathe properly.

Once the crew had gone home, Tanner, Ted, Dan, Joe and I were hanging out in the living room, sitting together in the same spots we were the night we played Jackbox, which meant Ted was right next to me, still wearing that stupid fucking hot ass formal fit. Since everyone here knew we were seeing each other, he wasn't afraid to sit close by and rest of one of his arms behind me, occasionally moving his hand to touch my shoulder and caress my upper arm when he knew no one was paying attention. It was driving me nuts. The only real break I got from all the little looks and gestures was when Tanner suggested we play Smash Bros. Ultimate, making Ted sit up more so he could focus. Ted and I bonded over our love for the series, often having to fight for 1st during every match, though Tanner, Joe and Dan weren't half bad at it either. I wouldn't say any of us were competitive levels of skilled, but we were all good enough to put constant pressure on each other.

"I swear to god, if you spike me one more fucking time.." Ted grumbles at me, the only other sound in the room besides the game being the clicking of our respective controllers.

"Just don't get spiked, Ted." Tanner teases him with a big smile.

"Yeah Ted, don't let them spike you." Dan joins in with a little chuckle, looking over at how focused Ted and I were on this match.

"I'm gonna chokeslam you two if you don't shut the fuck up." Ted growls playfully with a big smile on his face.

"No guys, keep going, distract him for me.." I laugh a little, leaning forward to focus on the match. There was a good minute or two where we couldn't get a single hit on each other, continuously shielding, dodging and parrying attacks like our life depended on it. Truthfully, I just wanted to beat him as a way to punish him for teasing me so much, and boy did I work for it. I lost a whole stock to set up the perfect spike off the edge, and when I got it, I was so proud.

"YES!!!" "FUCK!!!"

Ted and I both shot up from the couch as we shouted. I can't help but start laughing happily, raising my controller up above my head as the others start excitingly talking over each other about the match. I point and laugh at Ted as he sits back down, glaring playfully at me.

"You fucking bitch.." Ted curses at me with a grin on his face, playing his hands in his lap. "You little cunt.."

"Get fucked, Teddy! Get shit on! Get absolutely dogged on!" I gently throw my controller onto the couch next to him, moving my hands into my hair as I try to catch my breath. God, that felt good.

"You're gonna fuckin' pay for that, mark my fuckin' words, princess." Ted shakes his head and points at me, ignoring the others as they start to clean up. "Watch your ass.."

"I can't hear you over my fuckin' victory, Ted." I wiggle my fingers at him in a flirty wave, sticking my tongue out.

"Yeah yeah. Just you wait.." Ted mumbled under his breath, standing up off the couch to help Tanner bring everything upstairs.

We all split off for the night, this time I got to see Tanner actually walk into his bedroom and close the door. No way could Ted make the same excuse 3 nights in a row. I move into the bathroom to wash the makeup off my face, taking a moment to look at my reflection with a smirk. I take a deep breath as I look into my own eyes, running a little mini experiment. I think of the most random things, keeping a close look on my small pupils. When I allow my thoughts to shift to Ted in that formal fit, I watch my pupils enlarge quite a bit, smiling to myself with a slight chuckle. Yeah, I'm down bad.

I exit the bathroom and move into my bedroom for the night, sort of nibbling on my lower lip as I turn around and slowly close my door. When I feel the door shut, I don't immediately turn around, keeping my hand on the doorknob for a moment. I smile to myself. I had a feeling this was going to happen.

"I tried to tell ya, princess.."

__________________________________

Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || Chapter 3 || Chapter 4 || Chapter 5 || Chapter 6 (smut) || Chapter 7 || Chapter 8 || Chapter 10 (smut) || Chapter 11 || Chapter 12 || Chapter 13 || Chapter 14 (smut) || Chapter 15 ||

[mykneeshurt]

So happy your requests are open! Would love to see your take on Alex Keller. Smut of course. Dealers' choice, I'd only ask no noncon or dubcon.

😘🥰

Here you go my little pickle ❤️

Protector/bodyguard - established relationship

Alex Keller x F!reader

Warnings - minors DNI, 18+, explicit smut

A/N - I know nothing about computers, coding or hacking lmao

Protection

You weren’t sure wether work could get anymore boring on a rainy Wednesday afternoon, but here you were. Proved wrong. Again. Price had left a mountain of work for you to do, intel he wanted double checking, maps he wanted upgrading, a new location for a safe house. If you were being honest he was being a bit of a prick.

Needing to stretch your legs you wandered to the kitchen for coffee. Shitty ass office coffee. The kettle boiled and you went to fetch milk from the fridge. Lo and behold there was none. Slamming the fridge shut you stormed back to your office. Could today get any worse?

Evidently. It could.

There was a pop up on your screen that you’d not seen before. Investigating further you found that a piece of code you’d been working on, to find a terrorist group, had worked. You’d broken their code. ‘Price! Get in here! Now!’ You yelled at the top of your lungs. ‘Why? Haven’t I given you enough work?!’

‘You’re gonna wanna see this!’

His footsteps echoed down the hallway as he ran towards your office. ‘What’s up love?’

Spinning in your chair you had a huge grin on your face, looking rather proud. ‘Well, you know that group in Al Mazrah? Moving weapons. That you’ve been struggling to find for months? This is their co-ordinates.’ Smug wouldn’t even begin to describe how you looked.

Price planted both hands on your shoulders, congratulating you. ‘Well I never. Well done love. I’ll let the boys know!’ He fired off a few texts and began looking at the screen with you. As you both tried to locate it on the map suddenly the cursor began to move on its own. ‘What the fuck?’ You whispered squinting at the screen, ‘someone’s taken control of the computer?’

Price looked over your shoulder just as confused. Until it dawned on you. ‘Oh fuck!’ You yelled, jumping up from your chair. Hand over your mouth your chest heaved. ‘What? What’s wrong?!’ Price half spoke, half shouted. ‘It’s them! They’ve hacked me back! Oh fuck oh fuck!’

Without thinking you yanked the plug out from the socket, the computer shutting down. Screen now black. ‘Shit. I’ll let Laswell know-.’ You cut him off before he could continue. ‘I don’t know what they’ve seen John! They could have taken anything from my computer! My name? My address? This place?!’

Panic swelled inside you, chest tight, walls closing in as your heart thumped in your chest. You felt dizzy. ‘Hey hey hey! Sh sh sh’ he cooed, pulling you into a tight hug. ‘I’ll get Laswell on this. Go home, grab the essentials. I’ll have someone waiting for you there, they’ll take you to a safe house. Let’s keep you locked down till we know what’s happened.’

———

After grabbing some essentials; toothbrush, toothpaste, clean pants, comfy clothes, meds and of course wine you ran back downstairs. A black 4x4 was already say outside, just like Price had said.

As you locked your door a familiar voice chirped up behind you. ‘How’d I know it was you causing trouble?’ Spinning round you caught site of an old friend. Alex Keller. ‘Oh my god! Alex!’ You jumped into his arms, giving him a warm hug. ‘So you’re the one Price sent to look after me eh?’

‘Unfortunately’ he chuckled, ‘come on get in, we need to move.’

You spent the car ride catching up with your old friend, exchanging war stories, joking, laughing. It was easy to forget they may be a target on your head.

The safe house was a small flat on the second floor of a run down complex. You pulled a face when you saw it, making Alex chuckle. ‘It’s been a long time since I stayed in one of these. Jesus’ you sighed. Clapping you on the back Alex took your bag and led the way.

The flat wasn’t too bad, it was clean, even if the wall paper was hanging on for dear life. The floor was worn, blackout blinds on every window and the distinct musty smell that only a safe house would have. ‘How long you keeping me here?’ You asked as you wandered around, learning the layout. ‘Couple days tops. Laswell’s on it, should know soon enough if they got any info on you.’

Rolling your eyes you couldn’t help but laugh, ‘it would be me wouldn’t it.’ Alex smiled as he removed his bulletproof vest and hoodie. You had missed him. ‘Loving the whiskers’ you chuckled as you swiped your thumb over his facial hair. ‘Im gonna go shower, need to wash as much of this day off me as possible.’

After your shower you felt slightly more relaxed, comfortable clothes and the smell of food coming from the kitchen. Alex had microwaved two meals, a spaghetti carbonara for you, and a bolognaise for him. Giggling you ran back to fetch the wine from your bag, a merlot, one of your favourites.

Setting it down Alex looked at you in disbelief, ‘really?’ You nodded enthusiastically ‘Price told me to pack essentials. Soooo …’ you shrugged gesturing to the wine.

You both enjoyed dinner, Alex cleaned up while your settled on the sofa, wine in hand. ‘You gonna have a glass with me?’ You asked, hopeful. He shook his head ‘can’t while I’m protecting your ass can I?’ Pouting you tried your best to flash him your most innocent and sad puppy dog eyes. ‘Pretty please?’ He rolled his eyes while he bit his lip, ‘I guess I can have one. For you.’

‘Well, lucky you there’s only enough left for one. I may be on my third glass’ you grimaced.

He settled down on the sofa and sipped the wine, you weren’t sure if you were more tipsy than you gave yourself credit for. But Alex looked … handsome. You watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed the wine, how his tongue left a trail of saliva on his lips. His splayed hips, taught muscles under his t-shirt.

Jesus what were you thinking.

You felt a heat pooling in your stomach as you studied him, a want, a need. His face lit up as he scrolled on his phone, completely oblivious to your growing need for him. ‘So, fill me in are you seeing anyone?’ You asked, as you finished the last of your wine. ‘Nah. I was seeing someone for a bit but she couldn’t cope with me being away for months on end’ he shrugged, ‘what about you?’

‘Same, the dating pool seems pretty thin. It gets pretty … lonely’ you bit your lip, averting your gaze from him.

Putting his phone away he placed all his attention on you. ‘Bullshit. How are you single? Or at least not even dating. If I remember rightly on our nights out you’d have a pick of the bunch.’

‘Getting old now Alex’ you winked.

‘Shut up. You could have anyone you wanted.’

‘Anyone?’ You asked, narrowing your gaze at him. He swallowed, hard. ‘You’re drunk.’

‘And you’re handsome’ you whispered as leant over to stroke his thigh.

Sensing no hesitation from him you slipped onto his lap, thighs spread wide as you gulped the last of his wine. You played with his dog tags between your fingers. The metal warm from resting on his skin. ‘Do you want me to stop Alex?’ You asked as you held his gaze, you felt him try to readjust his hips as you sank yourself lower. He shook his head. ‘Words handsome.’

‘N-no’ he stammered.

Pressing your torso against his you rolled your hips, his cock hard beneath you. Hovering your lips just above his you whispered ‘what do you want me to do to you?’ His breath visibly caught in his chest at your words. ‘God … anything you want.’

‘Mmm good boy’ you hummed.

You pushed your lips to his, pulling him into the kiss. The fire in your pussy raged as he trailed his hands down your ribs and onto your waist, holding you there. Throwing your arms around his neck you wound your fingers in his hair. He coaxed your mouth open to deepen the kiss, his tongue slipped over yours as he encouraged you to grind on his hips. The pressure danced along your clit as he moved your hips back and forth.

‘Fuck’ you breathed as you broke the kiss ‘you feel so big.’ He whined at your praise as he lent in to kiss you again. But you stopped him, instead climbing off him and nuzzling yourself in between his thighs. Undoing his belt you smiled up at him greedily, pulling his boxers down just enough to free his cock. Your mouth watered at the sight.

You kissed the top of his cock, causing him to whimper under his breath. With a swipe of your tongue you licked from the base to top, tantalisingly slow. Eyes locked on his the entire time. He gripped onto the sofa, bucking his hips. Placing gentle kisses along his shaft you watched as he tried to keep still, veins protruding from his hands. ‘Fuck … please’ he muttered, voice cracking.

You hummed against his cock, smiling at how quickly he’d become a whimpering pathetic mess. Taking him into your mouth you bobbed your head, allowing saliva to overflow from your lips. His breathing became shallow, fast, desperate. He placed his hands at the back of your head, gently pressing you down as far as your mouth would allow you. Gagging you dug your nails into his thighs, tears pricked the corner of your eyes as he tested your gag reflex.

He writhed beneath you, whispered moans, strangled whimpers as you swallowed his cock. The salty taste of precum danced on your tongue, signalling it was time to stop. Pulling back saliva dripped from your mouth, drawing in a large breath you looked up at him. His pupils blown wide, his eyes now appeared black. ‘Fuck’ he murmured.

You climbed onto his lap, but not before removing your trousers and panties. Holding his cock you ran it along your cunt, coating it with your arousal. ‘You gonna fuck me Alex? You gonna make me cum?’

‘God … yes, you’re so wet’ he said as he gripped your bare thighs.

Sinking down his cock stretched you open, filling you perfectly. You both moaned, placing your foreheads against one another. He moved you again, making you grind on him, his pubic bone added the right amount of pressure to your clit. Taking back control you began to bounce, he held your ass as you took his cock. The sound of skin slapping filled the tiny flat as you both became breathless.

Alex pulled you into a kiss, making you grind once more ‘need to feel you cum baby’ he purred. ‘So close … fuck’ you panted. You took his hand and placed it on your clit, he moved his fingers in small circles as he felt your pussy tighten around him. ‘Don’t fucking stop’ you ordered burying your face in his neck.

With one more circular motion you came around his cock, you whined into his skin as you rocked your hips back and forth. ‘Shit Alex!’ His breath became ragged as he tip toed on the verge of his own orgasm. Feeling him tense beneath you, you moved yourself up and down coaxing him to finish. ‘Fill me Alex, cum in my pussy’ you said as you nipped his ear.

He slammed your hips down on his cock, hard, once, twice, three times. On the final thrust he came, his eyes screwed shut, mouth agape as he struggled for air. He wrapped his arms around you as his cock pulsed inside you. You felt full, satiated. Grinning you bit your lip, ‘that was amazing.’

He nodded in agreement, ‘fuck, if you ever need protecting again lemme know.’