#and suddenly everything better for just a moment

[pitchsidestories]

What is this feeling ? (1) II Alexia Putellas x Reader

romantic masterlist | platonic masterlist | word count: 1875

summary: Alexia tells herself you're to young for her, but her heart wants you.

author's note: hi everyone, enjoy the anticipated oneshot.💌

You knew it from the look on her face. You knew before she even made a sound. You knew what was coming and you still were unprepared.

It felt like time had stopped, like you and her could only existed in this small dressing room.

“Listen…”, she said calmly.

In contrast to you, she didn’t seem nervous at all. Her face was unreadable and stern, like it usually was when she was out on the pitch with the captain’s armband on.

You bit your lip, bracing yourself.

“I know what you’re going to say.”

Alexia didn’t miss a beat: “This won’t work.”

It took a lot from you to not let out a frustrated sigh.

“It’s the age gap, isn’t it?”

“I’m too old for you.”, Alexia confirmed, her face unmoved.

The room began to feel too tight suddenly.

You shook your head firmly, trying to shake the shock off: “No, that’s not true.”

“You’re too young. Better?”

It all felt like she was trying to make excuses. You were 22 and she was about to turn 31. Nine years weren’t that much. And you were both consenting adults.

The fact that Alexia didn't seem to see this filled you with frustration.

“I don’t care about the years between us.”, you said passionately, maybe also stubbornly.

The older player shook her head like there was no convincing her: “But I do.”

You frowned at her: “That’s your head, not your heart speaking.”

“It doesn’t really matter, does it?”, she replied cooly.

“It does matter.”

“Y/n.”

Your name out of her mouth made you stall for a moment.

“Yes?”

“Don’t do that.”, she said plainly.

You cocked your head in confusion: “Do what?”

“Look at me like that.”

Finally, her voice softened.

“I look at you like I want to.”, you retorted.

Alexia rolled her eyes: “You’re a child.”

“Wrong, I’m an adult like you.”

“You just turned 22.”

You crossed your arms in front of your chest. She already thought you were a child so you didn’t care if you looked like one too. “Still.”

“You’ll never stop until you get what you wanted, huh?”, Alexia asked with raised eyebrows.

“Right. I had the best teacher for that.”, you retaliated.

“Oh, you did?”

“Yes, I learned that from you.”

“I know that you meant me.”, Alexia said, rolling her eyes for a second time.

“But you already gave up so I should leave.”

You took one step towards the door, trying to pass her.

“You’re leaving?”

“Isn’t that what you want?”, you asked, lifting your head to directly look into her eyes.

Alexia was left speechless: “I…”

“Tell me what you want, Alexia.”, you demanded.

She looked away, shaking her head: “I don’t know what I want.”

“That’s a lie.”

Memories flooded to the surface, back to the moment when everything seemed possible, and the age difference still seemed unimportant. It all started at your birthday party, which you celebrated with your teammates. Every longer look and touch made both your hearts beat faster.

“No, Cata, there’s no way I’m doing that.”, you shook your head determined.

The young women and you were going all out tonight, and the alcohol made you all a bit reckless except for your team captain. She gazed at you with growing concern.

The goalkeeper grinned: “Do it.”

“Fine.”, you sighed.

Ona watched you in disbelief: “I can’t believe she’s really doing it.”

If there was a test of courage, you wanted to pass it no matter what. Whether on or off the pitch, you were known for being brave and sometimes even reckless.

“Look at Ale’s face.”, Cata chuckled, amused by the stern expression on the older midfielder's face.

Smirking, Jana remarked:” Absolutely priceless.”

“What are you doing?” Alexia's worried voice interrupted the adrenaline rush that had been triggered in you by the task.

“I...”, when you saw the worry lines on her forehead, you bit your lip guiltily. Under her watchful eyes, you suddenly felt very stupid and childish.

She growled:” Don’t ever do that again.”

“It was just a test of courage.”, you tried to play down the whole thing.

The blonde crossed both arms in front of her chest as she warned:” Keep me out of this."

“Can I get you a drink?”, you asked, changing the topic to something more light-hearted with a charming smile on your lips.

“No, are you even allowed to order yet?”, Alexia lifted an eyebrow.

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes at her question: “We’re celebrating my 22nd birthday.”

“It was a joke.”, she revealed, and a shy grin lit up her face.

You returned her smile: “You’re really bad at jokes, captain.”

“I know.”, the midfielder admitted, nervously running a hand through her unbound hair.

Once you realised how nervous she was around you, it put you in a flirtatious mood: “But you look adorable while making them.”

The older woman’s cheeks flushed instantly. “Shut up.”, Alexia hissed, pretending not to be touched by your flattering words.

The blonde could deceive herself, but not you.

“Or what..?”, you boldly  answered her with a counter question.

The midfielder explained; her intense gaze gave the feeling that you were the only two people in the room, even though it was quite full: “You better not test your limits.”

On the other side of the room, the rest of your teammates had followed your conversation from a safe distance.

 “Oh, she’s overdoing it, girls.”, Salma observed anxiously.

Ona cleared her throat and declared fearlessly: “I’ll go and save her.”

You felt Onas presence next to you before you saw her. “Ona?”

“Hey, you can’t stay here all night.”, your teammate said, nodding towards the rest of your friends standing on the other side of the bar.

Alexia replied before you could: “I told her but she’s not listening.”

Her voice was flat, one note like she was bored by you.

Ona forced a light laugh: “Oh, you know her.”

You had enough of this talk. You wanted to get back to your friends and far away from Alexia.

“Yes, let’s go.”, you agreed with Ona.

“Please.”, the defender said, clearly relieved that you didn’t need any more persuasion.

You casually slid of the barstool next to Alexia but your heel got caught on the footrest and for a split second you lost your balance.

Alexias hands were on your body within the blink of an eye, one stabilising your waist and the other holding your hand.

���I’ll help you down.”, she announced but didn’t move.

You blinked at her, too stunned by the situation to realise that you were silently staring at each other instead of doing anything else.

Alexia finally took a step back, leading you down from your seat like a princess.

You pressed your lips together in the closest thing to a smile that you could manage: “Thanks.”

“You’re… welcome.”

Her words came out on two different breaths and she finally let go of you.

Cata wrapped on arm around your shoulder and dragged you away from Alexia: “Let the party continue.”

“Yes, time to party.”, you smiled through the memory of Alexias touch and her lips being too close to your own.

Salma grabbed your hand and pulled you towards the dance floor: “Come on then, no more waiting!”

Grateful for the distraction, you followed and moved your body to the rhythm of the music until a distinctive guitar sound resounded.

You paused with your eyes wide but as soon as you heard Taylors voice sing the lyrics to “22”, you let out a sigh.

“Who put on Taylor Swift?”, you yelled over the music.

“Me! Fitting, no?”, Mapi answered, beaming at you.

You didn’t have the heart to tell her that it was horribly cliché so you shrugged: “Kind of.”

“Ingrid, I told you she’ll love it.”, Mapi said to her girlfriend. You were suddenly reminded of a golden retriever.

Ingrid nodded patiently: “You were right.”

“The only ones enjoying it even more are Lucy and Ona.”

You followed Mapis gaze towards your two teammates who were going all out on the dance floor and looking at each other like they were alone at this party.

In that moment you made a decision. You left the dance floor and went back to Alexia, who was still nursing her drink.

“Dance with me, Ale.”

The older woman raised the hands in defence: “I don’t dance.”

You asked her nonchalantly: “Why not?”

“I just don’t.”, Alexia tried to shrug it off until she noticed your disappointed look.

“Oh, okay.”, you nodded sadly.

The blonde couldn't bear to see you so sad on your birthday, so she gave in with a sigh:” Fine. One dance.”

“Wait, you’re serious?”, you lifted your chin in surprise. The look in her hazel eyes told you that your team captain really meant it. Undoubtedly.

“Yes, it’s your birthday after all.”, Alexia confirmed.

Her serious tone made you shiver in the otherwise hot room.

“Alright.”, you agreed, hoping she didn’t hear the slight nervousness in your voice.

Before it started, the DJ switched from a fast song to a slow one, which brought each couple on the dance floor closer to their partner.

“Oh, no.”, the midfielder muttered under her breath.

As you took the lead in your dance, you assured her: “Don’t worry, it’s fine.”

Underneath your guidance, you could feel her heartbeat relax.

“Not too bad.”, Alexia admitted quietly.

At that exact moment, you had the feeling that the two of you were the only ones dancing.

With a smirk on your lips, you observed: “You like it.”

“I..”, she began anxiously and broke off, unable to translate the turmoil inside her into a coherent sentence.

You noticed her struggle and kindly interrupted the older woman:” You don’t have to say anything more.”

“Okay.”

The song had already been over for a few seconds, but Alexia was still holding you tightly in her arms.

Nobody apart from you and her best friend saw it.

Comradely, Mapi poked her captain's side, once she sat down next to her:” You’ve a crush on her.”

“I don’t.”, Alexia laughed.

The defender smiled at her: ”Sure, Ale.”

“That’s ridiculous.”, she huffed.

With a wise undertone, the younger woman responded: “It’s what it’s.”

“You can’t say that about everything.”, Alexia shook her head amusedly.

Mapi grinned at her counterpart: “Why not?”

“It’s not always what it’s.”, the midfielder explained earnestly, feeling like she was talking to a child rather than a grown-up woman.

Her good friend's belief in love was simply unshakeable. That's why the younger player's response didn't surprise Alexia at all, it was full of hope, something she thought she had lost when it came to love:” Maybe it’s more a question of what could be between you two?”

What was the feeling that arose in the midfielder when she looked at you?  Attraction, yes, but maybe deep down it was something more, something that terrified her. Loving family, friends and team-mates was one thing, but loving a person with all her heart was a brave step in her eyes. Was Alexia ready to open herself up to that? But what about the age difference between you?

So many questions which wanted to be answered.

gif source: https://www.tumblr.com/okboomer17/754477277102931968/alexia-labor-omnia-vincit-2022?source=share

[samgirl98]

Heart Stopper

Written for @silverblueglitter, I hope you like it

Danny’s body had developed a bad habit: his heart and breath would stop while sleeping.

If it hadn’t been for Jazz freaking out one Saturday afternoon after finding him, presumably, dead on the couch when he had been napping, he probably never would have found out. After going to Frostbite and being told it was just a new normal for him, Danny stopped worrying about it. Besides, the ecto in his body ensured that he was kept fine and healthy while asleep or knocked unconscious. He made sure not to take naps in places where he could be found, which sucked when he was in school.

It helped that his friends and sister were there to aid in keeping him awake.

Still, half-life moved on, and Danny adapted as he did with everything else thrown at him.

For example, he was currently in Gotham, trying to find Batman for help. Although it had taken a lot of effort to leave Amity Park while it was under lockdown, he had been able to do it. Now, if only he could find Batman or one of his associates.

Danny looked at the vast city from above while invisible. He wondered where he should even start looking.

He sighed. Well, there was no point in wondering. Danny flew lower and started looking at the shadows. Eventually, he would find someone.

At least, he hoped so.

Danny flew around for a few hours before he saw a dark shadow moving. It was a woman with her face fully covered in a bat-shaped mask.

Finally, someone who could help. Danny landed on a different roof and detransformed. He would get the help Amity Park needed, no matter what.

____

In Cass’ defense, no one had ever sneaked up on her. At least, not that she could remember.

So, when she heard a voice suddenly speak behind her, she reacted without thinking and kicked in the voice’s direction. Too late, she noticed it was just a kid—a kid who folded like a wet paper towel.

“Umph,” he said before going down.

“Oh, no,” Cass ran toward the boy to make sure he was okay.

Cass knew the moment she saw him. She could read the body better than a children’s book. The boy wasn’t breathing.

He was dead.

Still, she put her fingers on his neck, hoping against all hope that he was fine, that he was alive.

She exhaled sharply; there was no pulse, no breath.

Cass felt her body go ice cold. Her heart stopped and started beating double time.

She had killed someone. Not just anyone, but an innocent boy. What would Bruce think? The rest of her family? Would they kick her out?

Cass felt sick.

She took off her full-cover mask and threw up.

She killed someone. She killed someone!

With shaking hands, Cass turned on her coms.

“Black Bat to Oracle. I need help.”

“This Oracle, what’s wrong,” came the automated voice through the com.

Cass sobbed.

“Black Bat, what’s your status?”

“I did something bad,” she whispered. “I—I accidentally. It was an accident!”

Cass got to her knees beside the dead boy—the boy she had killed.

Oracle must’ve hijacked her lenses.

“Is that—is he dead?”

“Accident,” she wailed out.

“Black Bat, stay where you are,” Came Batman’s voice.

Cass felt relief and trepidation at the same time. Batman would fix this; he would make things right.

Batman would judge her; he could throw her in Arkham.

“Please,” she said, “please.”

Cass brought her knees up to her chest. She was a murderer. A murderer! She killed someone, an innocent boy who had done no wrong. She felt her stomach revolting again and turned around, not wanting to accidentally defile the boy by vomiting on top of him.

Cass heard the swish of a cape.

Batman was here. He went straight to her and held her.

“It’ll be okay. Tell me what happened.”

“I—I was patrolling when I heard a voice behind me. I didn’t think; I kicked out and hit him. Then he fell, and he was…he was gone.”

“Hmm,” Batman hummed. He took off his glove to check for a pulse. When he found none, he started doing CPR. Cass felt stupid. She could’ve been doing that. Instead, she wasted precious time freaking out. When the CPR did nothing, Batman took out a Taser and started electrocuting the body.

It was unexpected.

One second, the boy was dead; the next, he woke up yelling.

“What the actual fuck?!”

The boy got up and leaped away from them.

“Why would you electrocute me?”

“You were dead,” Cass said instead of answering the question, “I saw you. You weren’t breathing; your heart had stopped.”

“So you decided to electrocute me?”

“We wanted to bring you back,” Batman said, “we apologize.”

“You kicked me,” he accused.

“Yes, you surprised. I’m sorry for—for killing you,” she said.

“Hmm, you didn’t kill me; I was unconscious. I stop breathing, and my heart stops when I sleep, or I’m not conscious. It’s a quirk of mine.”

“What?”

“Yeah, sorry for traumatizing you,” he said while rubbing the back of his neck.

“Ask him if there’s a reason he snuck up on Black Bat,” Oracle asked.

“Is there a reason you were snuck up behind me,” Cass asked.

“Oh, yeah, there is actually! Sorry about that. I forget how quiet I am. Anyway, I need help from the Justice League, and when I saw you, I figured you could contact Batman.”

“Why do you need the Justice League?”

Cass never thought she would be so happy to see someone take a deep breath. She would listen to the boy and help however she could. That’s what he wanted: help.

“Have you ever heard of the Anti-Ecto Laws?”

So danny's heart stops when he sleeps it's annoying but thanks to the ecto in his veigns ot doen't really caus any problems

Unfortunatly it also stops when he's more forceably knocked uncosnious like say a punch to the face from a vigilantes when he was going up to let them know what was happening with amity park

Now the said vigilante is panicing thinking they just somehow punched kid to death now

[suunani]

just for fun ( jeong jaehyun )

▍ there’s nothing wrong about kissing your bestfriend just for fun, right?

content : 1.9k words, male reader, bestfriend! jaehyun, fluff fluff and fluff again, mutual pining, detailed kiss scene.

friday nights were sacred.

no matter how crazy life became — whether jaehyun was juggling back-to-back schedules with his group or you were drowning under a mountain of deadlines — movie night was untouchable.

it wasn’t something either of you had ever needed to discuss about; it was just there, as natural and essential as breathing. a tradition born from years of friendship and countless nights spent sprawled out on your couch.

the setup was always the same: the couch, an oversized blanket big enough to cover both of you, the coffee table crowded with snacks and drinks.

jaehyun always managed to make a mess with the popcorn, and you never failed to call him out for it, only for him to grin sheepishly every time, a sparkle in his eyes that promised he'd absolutely do it again next week.

it was comfortable, dependable. a routine so ingrained that neither of you could imagine life without it.

tonight, like every other friday, the two of you had settled into your usual spots.

jaehyun was stretched out beside you, his long legs taking up more than their fair share of the coffee table. one of his socks was missing (why, you didn't know and didn't care to ask) and the other hung loosely from his foot like it was holding on for dear life.

and you were curled up at the opposite end of the couch, the blanket draped across both of you, your toes brushing his shin beneath its soft folds.

the movie you’d picked — a romcom that netflix had all but begged you to watch — played on the tv. you weren’t paying much attention though, the storyline fading into white noise as you absently picked at the popcorn. jaehyun, on the other hand, seemed more invested, his dark eyes fixed on the screen.

it wasn’t until the movie reached its climactic make-out scene that the atmosphere shifted. the two characters on screen were tangled up in each other, all messy passion and heavy breathing. you glanced at jaehyun out of habit, expecting him to crack a joke or roll his eyes like he always did during these moments.

but he didn't.

instead, he was quiet, his expression thoughtful in a way that set your nerves on edge.

“what if we tried that?”

his voice was so casual, so matter-of-fact, that it took a second for his words to register. you blinked, turning your head to look at him fully.

“what?”

jaehyun didn't look away from the screen, his hand dipping lazily into the popcorn bowl, grabbing a handful as he spoke.

“that,” he nodded toward the tv, his tone so relaxed you almost thought you'd misheard. “kissing. you and me.”

the words hit you like a cold splash of water, and you stared at him, waiting for some sign that he was joking. but his expression didn’t change.

he chewed his popcorn slowly, his face calm, like he’d just asked what you wanted for dinner.

“i… uh…” you stammered, suddenly hyper-aware of the blanket you were sharing and the way his knee was just barely brushing yours. “what are you talking about?”

jaehyun finally looked at you then, his gaze steady and calm, his lips twitching into the faintest smile.

“i’m just asking,” he said with a shrug, like it wasn’t the most absurd thing he’d ever said. “you’ve never thought about it?”

you let out a disbelieving laugh, your heart pounding in your chest. “thought about kissing you?”

“yeah,” he nodded, leaning back against the couch, his expression unreadable. “i mean, why not? we’re best friends. we’ve done everything else together. what’s one more thing?”

“jaehyun…” you trailed off, unsure how to even respond.

he was really serious — or at least, he didn’t seem to be joking at all. and that made it worse. or better. you couldn’t decide.

he turned his head to look at you again, his gaze softer this time. “what? it wouldn’t be weird. i mean, we already know everything about each other. it’s not like it’d change anything.”

“not change anything?” you repeated, incredulous. “you think kissing your best friend wouldn’t change anything?”

“not unless we wanted it to,” he replied simply, his tone so steady it almost calmed the storm raging in your chest. almost.

you stared at him, searching his face for some kind of explanation. but he wasn’t teasing you. he wasn’t laughing or smirking the way he usually did when he was trying to get under your skin.

he was just… waiting.

“you’ve really thought about this, haven’t you?” you asked, your voice quieter now.

jaehyun tilted his head slightly, considering you.

“yeah. i guess i have,” he admitted. “i mean, haven’t you? even a little?”

your brain felt like it was short-circuiting. you wanted to say no, to deny it outright, but the truth was, the idea didn’t seem as far-fetched as it should have.

you’d spent years at each other’s sides, your lives so intertwined that you could barely tell where one ended and the other began. and sure, there were moments — quick, fleeting moments — when you’d looked at him and wondered.

but this? this was real. and it wasn’t a fleeting moment anymore.

“i don’t know,” you said honestly, your voice barely above a whisper.

jaehyun smiled again, a small, patient curve of his lips that sent butterflies swirling through your stomach.

“then let’s find out,” his voice was low, almost hesitant.

you froze the moment he leaned in, his movements slow and deliberate, like a question he was silently asking.

it felt like the world had paused, holding its breath along with you. his eyes flicked to yours, searching, giving you all the time in the world to stop him, to pull away, to laugh it off like the best friends you’d always been.

but you didn’t. you couldn’t. your heart hammered against your chest, wild and unrestrained, and you knew he could probably hear it.

when his lips brushed against yours, it was featherlight, tentative, like he was testing the waters, hesitant but hopeful. your breath caught in your throat, and a spark ignited deep in your chest, sending tingles down to your fingertips.

his hand slid up to cup your jaw, his thumb tracing an impossibly soft line along your skin. the gentle touch sent shivers cascading down your spine, but it wasn’t unpleasant. your heart thudded against your chest like it was trying to escape, and a warmth you couldn’t explain spread through your entire body.

the kiss was slow at first, unhurried, almost experimental, like neither of you could believe what was happening. but then, instinct took over. you kissed him back before you could think better of it, your body moving on its own, feeling the slight curve of his smile against your lips. warmth bloomed between you, and your heart pounded harder with every second.

his lips were softer than you’d imagined — though you weren’t sure why you were imagining it at all. he tasted faintly of the popcorn you’d shared earlier, and there was something about the familiarity of it that made your chest ache in the best way.

jaehyun tilted his head just enough to fit perfectly, deepening the kiss in a way that felt so natural, it was almost like muscle memory. one of his hands slipping to your hip while the other stayed on your jaw, his fingers curling there gently, and he pressed closer, so close you could feel his breath mingling with yours.

you couldn’t think about anything else. it was just him: the warmth of his body so close, the way his lips moved against yours like they belonged there, the gentle press of his fingertips against your skin.

the world around you just… faded, like it didn’t exist anymore. all that mattered was this moment, the two of you tangled in something unsaid but utterly undeniable.

when the kiss finally ended, the two of you pulled back slowly, your foreheads brushing against the other as you tried to catch your breath. your chest heaved, and you realized he was breathing just as hard as you were, his lips slightly parted as though he wanted to say something but didn’t know how.

before you could speak, before you could even begin to process what had just happened, jaehyun grinned, a soft, lopsided grin that made your heart flip, and leaned in once again. this time, it wasn’t as tentative. he pressed a quick, playful kiss to your lips, a soft 'mwah' sound filling the quiet space between you.

his hand on your jaw tilted your head just slightly, like he didn’t want to give you any room to second-guess this.

it was over almost as soon as it began, but it left you blinking, stunned, your heart beating so loudly it was all you could hear. he chuckled softly, his face still close, his breath fanning over your skin.

“okay,” jaehyun said, leaning back just slightly, though his hand lingered on your hip. “i’m officially adding that to our list of top-tier decisions.”

you let out a shaky laugh, the sound more real than you expected it to be.

your hand, which had somehow ended up tangled in his hair, slipped back into your lap. you glanced at him, taking in the way his lips were slightly swollen, his hair adorably mussed, his cheeks dusted with a faint pink.

“i can’t believe you actually…” you started, your words trailing off as you gestured vaguely between the two of you.

“kissed you?” he finished for you, his lips quirking into that lopsided grin. “yeah, me neither. thought you’d push me off the couch, to be honest.”

you shook your head, the heat in your cheeks spreading like wildfire.

“i thought about it,” you admitted, only half-joking, your voice quieter now.

his grin softened into something gentler, something that made your chest ache all over again.

“but you didn’t,” he said, his tone quieter.

you swallowed, your throat dry, and shook your head again. “no. i didn’t.”

for a moment, the air between you shifted.

the weight of what had just happened settled over you both, heavy but not unwelcome. it felt like standing on the edge of something new, something you couldn’t quite name yet.

jaehyun nudged your knee lightly with his own, breaking the tension just enough.

“so,” he said, leaning back against the couch with a sigh that was almost too casual. “what’s the verdict?”

you raised an eyebrow, the heat still lingering on your face. “the verdict?”

“yep,” he tilted his head, his grin teasing but his tone softer, more earnest. “should we pencil in a round two?”

you rolled your eyes, though your lips betrayed you, curving into a small smile.

“you’re lucky that wasn’t terrible,” you muttered, your voice fond despite yourself. “or we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.”

jaehyun let out a laugh, deep and warm, and you felt yourself relax into it. the movie playing in the background faded into little more than white noise. the real focus was here, in the space between you two.

after a quiet moment, jaehyun spoke again, his voice softer this time.

“this doesn’t feel weird, does it?”

you shook your head slowly, meeting his gaze. “no. it doesn’t.”

and it didn’t. for all the ways it should’ve felt strange or awkward, it didn’t. it felt…right. comfortable. like something that had been waiting to happen all along.

jaehyun’s lips quirked into another soft smile, his gaze warm and steady on yours.

“good,” he said, his voice a little quieter now. “because i think i kind of like kissing my best friend.”

[tricoloreddango]

I'm really nasty 😞 can I request more Mydei smut, maybe detailing how vocal he is and how he talks the reader through it. 😭 God forgive me.

You and I think alike, anon. Hopefully this fulfills your request. I was writing this on a train ride, but thankfully my space around was empty 😅

Cw: fem reader, marriage, Mydei bends you in half, sex on his throne, oral fem receiving, praise, size kink, possessiveness, semi public, Mydei talks you through it and can’t shut up. Not suitable for minors!

There was an odd, wild idea about Mydei today, even more than usual, when he was suddenly putting you down on his throne, just moments after you were calmly resting on his lap, your tunic lifted up by your clearly eager husband. Whether it was something that frustrated him today that had Mydei coming to you, something about you filling his head too much today, you couldn’t really complain, even if you felt swallowed by him.

You thought that you were about to be snapped in half, with how much Mydei was forcing your thighs close to your head, folding you in half. Kneeling in front of you seated like this on his crystal throne, he was eating everything between your thighs, growling rather aggressively at your taste. “You’re always so wet for me… I bet you can’t stop thinking about me doing this to you, huh?” he said against your sweet pussy, slurping with his tongue, and latching onto your clit with his lips.

“You can’t keep quiet at all, even when I told you to. It’s as if you want us to get caught,” he said roughly. He’d never let anyone see you like this, maybe slaughter someone who did, when this holy sight was reserved just for him; nor did he want entire place to know, but you were too brain-dead on the pleasure he was giving you, to even think of the consequences of letting others hear. You, instead, were busy with moaning for him and pulling on his orange hair, unable to stay still. It was just his hands on your thighs keeping you from squirming away, supported by his strong arms.

“Mydei, please!” And he couldn’t even try to shut you up, if it meant denying himself of hearing your wanton voice. He groaned with his tongue inside of you, feeling his dick throb at your needy whines. “You taste so good, love… you’re making me crazy like this. So, so weak,” his voice was muffled against your skin, the vibrations making you even more sensitive.

No matter how much you trashed, he brought you to your first pleasure, lapping at every juice you gave him. “Damn it…” he cursed when he looked up at your expression, seeing it twisted and so ruined by him, with tears and daze in your eyes, your lips parted and crying out of him. You were so beautiful like this, and he couldn’t stop obsessing about making you like this everyday. Maybe he should, seeing what a desperate of a wife he made… if you didn’t make him even worse.

He was quickly standing up, letting your legs rest down for a moment, not even bothering to take his pants off and choosing to yank them down. Thankfully, his armor part was abandoned earlier, when he returned.

You felt heat in your abdomen grow, knowing he was going to give you something even much better, to fill you up and shut up your whines for more, or rather, make you do so even harder. He’d take care of you, as always, cause while your husband could be merciless with his enemies, with you, his wife, he felt dutiful and giving. “Please, Mydei, I need you so badly…” you said eagerly. “Fill me up.”

“You really can’t wait… No, you never can…” he mused, his low voice, not any better at hiding his desperation. “Don’t worry, I can never really deny you, no matter how much how I like hearing your begs…” he said roughly. Mydei was well aware, that his mind have been always catching up to the memories of your moans and begs from your nights, just when he’s trying to focus on something else. “My wife won’t walk around starving.”

Mydei was kneeling in front of his throne again, this time lowering your body by your legs to lay your back on the bottom of the seat, and having your head rest against the back, your neck and spine curved to accommodate the position. Your legs dangling down the throne, Mydei threw over his shoulders. You were trembling with anticipation, whimpering impatiently, when he grabbed his cock to spread his wetness with his tip stirring against your wet hole’s entrance.

“Hush, you insatiable woman…” he teased, only to grunt hard when he finally pushing himself inside of you. You were so eager for him, that stretching you even with his thick girth was easy today—you just couldn’t stop enjoying seeing your husband so eager, unable to stop himself from pouncing on you. Mydei had to grab onto your thighs again, feeling suffocated by your heart and tightness. “There we go, so full of your husband… so beautiful for me,” he groaned, and was not wasting any time to start roughly thrusting into you, not leaving any space inside of your walls empty. Mydei was even more motivated, when you were falling into moaning for him quickly, and way too loudly for your surroundings again. No one would dare to walk in without knocking, but hearing…

“So good…” you whined out. “I can’t… you’ll break me,” you cried out, your eyes rolling back.

Something twisted shone in his orange eyes at your words, making him thrust even faster and deeper. “No, I won’t break you… but I’ll make sure it’s just me on your pretty mind,” Mydei exclaimed with a sense of ownership, liking the idea of your mind being dumbed with thoughts of your husband, and no other man. Devoted just the same way he was devoting himself to you. “I really wished a way you could see yourself like this, how beautiful you are… maybe next time, I’ll take you in front of the mirror,” he said, awfully content at the idea. Your pussy was too, when you suddenly squeezed on him, and Mydei latched onto your calves roughly to pull you even closer to his hips. “Yeah? You’d want that?”

The throne was shaking at this point.

With your legs still over his shoulders, Mydei forced them around his hips for even better angle, and leaned forward to kiss you hungrily, along to rub your clit, to help you reach your peak. He tasted your tongue, smacked your lips and devoured them with his, humming when you moaned right against his mouth, making his digit circle faster and his hips to be meaner. Each harsh thrust, was making your pussy gather a pressure, that was growing and soon would snap and release in another wave of intense pleasure.

Mydei withdrew from your lips, looking below at where his fat cock was pushing himself inside of you, disappearing, and leaving no space unstreched, forcing your lips to part for him. “What’s wrong, my love? Too big for you? No… I know you love me splitting you like this,” Mydei admitted the truth for you, one you knew to the core. Nothing would ever make you feel fulfilled like he does, ever again. Taking him wasn’t easy, but Mydei always made sure to make you ready for him, with the end result always so worth the long wait. “Yes… love it so much… so big,” you blabbered, and you were making him so proud like this—thinking only about your Mydei, your husband, just like he wanted it to be.

“Do you feel how deep inside I am?” he asked in appreciation, before placing his other hand on your tummy to press. You trashed under his palm, feeling him even more right there, protesting as you felt so overwhelmed yet so good. “I’m sure you do. You take me so well, I cannot stop spoiling you like this…” he praised, before falling back into sequence of groans and grunts, when as in result of his previous actions, your legs brought him closer around his hips, forcing him even deeper into you.

Just the way he had to busy his face into your neck next, you knew he was getting close too, ready to fill you up with his load, making you even more swollen of him. Mydei just couldn’t control himself with you, that he had to rest himself here, almost embarrassed of letting you see him so much differently than an everyday warrior. You let him, wrapping your arms around his broad shoulders, as he pounded into you and vocalized against your ear, digging your nails into his skin and leaving him even more crazy on you. His balls slapped against you, adding to the animality of the scene.

“Mydei, I’m so close, please, fill me up…” you said desperately, scratching him slightly and making his hips momentarily falter, before mad again. “I will, my pretty. You’ll take it all, won’t you? You’ll come for your dear husband, and let him fill you up like he should,” he inquired, looking up at your face again. You nodded furiously, making him smile in pride, before he sped up for the last time and spent up himself inside of your walls, making you feel even fuller and warmer. He gripped onto your sides furiously, spilling curses and rough grumbles, feeling as if you were trying to kill him, when your pussy was twitching madly from your orgasm. The high pitched strangled moan you let out, was echoing across the empty room.

Mydei kept his hips pressed tightly against yours, having you filled entirely, as he wasn’t ready to let anything spill yet. He rested over your body, its heaviness crashing you comforting, letting you both catch your breaths. He wouldn’t think a battle is more breathtaking than doing this with you.

Soon, with much more gentleness than before, Mydei was lifting you up into his arms, leaning towards your face to press a kiss against your forehead, before he was carrying you to let you both take a nice bath.

[echo-riot]

Random dating thoughts (that slowly get more heated)

Abby Anderson Edition

Abby would insist on being your gym buddy and make a big deal about spotting you, even if you’re lifting the lightest weights. “Babe, safety first!” Meanwhile, she’s bench-pressing twice your body weight with ease.

She eats like she’s fueling a tank, so if you order fries, you better guard them with your life. But if you pout, she’ll reluctantly push her plate toward you. “Fine, take some… just not the chicken.”

She casually challenges you to arm-wrestling matches, and even if you lose every time, she makes a point of flexing and teasing: “Don’t feel bad—these guns are a gift, really.”

Abby has mastered the art of braiding hair thanks to her own routine, but she’s shockingly bad at braiding your hair because she gets nervous about pulling too hard. “How do you not sit still for this?!”

When she’s into you, her flirting style is a mix of being overly cocky and downright awkward. “I could totally carry you on my shoulders and outrun a horde. Wanna test it out?”

Abby has a fierce protective instinct. She’s the type to walk you home even if the world’s relatively safe, and she’ll always scan your surroundings for anything suspicious.

While she’s tough and stoic most of the time, Abby opens up about her past with you in small, vulnerable moments—usually when she feels safe in your arms.

Her love language would absolutely include acts of service. Whether it’s repairing your gear or making sure you have enough to eat, Abby shows her love by ensuring your needs are met.

She’d establish a small tradition, like watching the sunrise together after her early morning workouts, with you groggily sipping coffee while she teases you about “needing more gains.”

She’d lean on you during tough times but struggle to admit when she needs help. You’d have to gently remind her that being strong doesn’t mean carrying everything alone.

Once Abby Finds Out You Can’t Open Jars It’s over. She teases you constantly. She’ll swoop in with a dramatic, “Don’t worry, I got this,” flex her biceps unnecessarily, and pop it open in one try—every single time.

You Snore? She records it. Every time. Then uses it as leverage when you tease her about her overly serious workout routines. “You think I’m dramatic? Babe, listen to this masterpiece.”

You’d think she’d be bad at cooking, but she’s weirdly good. However, she only knows how to make portions that could feed a military base. “You said you were hungry. This is a reasonable amount of spaghetti.” (It’s not.)

Abby Learns About TikTok? She doesn’t really get it but becomes obsessed with the fitness trends. Suddenly, she’s asking you to record her doing ridiculous challenges, like trying to do pushups with you sitting on her back. (An:IM HAVING WHITHDRAWLS)

Abby is confident on the battlefield, but when it comes to dating, she can get a bit awkward. She stumbles over her words, especially if she’s nervous about impressing you.

Abby shows her affection by doing things for you, like fixing something you need or sharing her limited rations. She’s the type to ensure your boots are patched and your weapon is ready.

She loves teasing you, especially once she gets more comfortable. Whether it’s poking fun at your bad aim or how much you complain about patrols, it’s always lighthearted and affectionate.

Abby gives the best hugs—firm, warm, and grounding. She holds you tightly as if to shield you from the world.

While she’s strong and intimidating to others, she’s incredibly gentle with you. She’ll brush your hair out of your face, kiss your forehead, and hold your hand when you’re anxious.

Abby is always looking for small items that might make you happy—whether it’s a flower she finds, a worn-out book, or something she crafts herself.

In rare quiet moments, she’ll grab your hand and sway with you to the faint sound of music from an old record player or her own humming.

Her apologies are sincere and often accompanied by small actions to make it up to you, like offering to take over your duties for the day.

Once Abby falls for you, she’s all in. She’s fiercely loyal and will do anything to ensure your happiness and safety.

Though she struggles to express her feelings at first, over time she becomes more vocal about how much you mean to her. “You’re the reason I keep fighting” is something you’d hear her say during particularly tough days.

Abby doesn’t say “I love you” often, but when she does, it’s raw, heartfelt, and utterly sincere. She prefers to show her love in the little things—like keeping your favorite item safe or holding your hand just a little tighter in dangerous moments.

She watches you when you’re not looking, memorizing every little thing about you. If you catch her, she’ll smirk but won’t admit to it.

Abby tends to fidget around you—twisting a knife in her hand or adjusting her gear—especially when she’s nervous or unsure how to express her feelings.

Abby hates unresolved tension and prefers to address issues head-on, though her bluntness can sometimes make things worse.

She ensures you’re always safe in their post-apocalyptic world. Abby checks your surroundings meticulously, insists on teaching you self-defense, and would sacrifice everything to protect you.

Abby is the kind of partner who will always have your back, whether it’s a dangerous encounter or someone making a rude comment. She doesn’t tolerate disrespect towards you.

Watching her play fetch with a dog like Alice is a sight to behold. If you join in, she’ll grin from ear to ear, clearly smitten with the simple joy of the moment.

She brushes strands of hair out of your face or gently holds your chin to make you look at her when she wants your full attention.

Abby is attentive to your needs. If you’re upset, she won’t always have the right words, but she’ll stay by your side, offering silent comfort or a grounding hand on your shoulder.

Abby’s kisses are slow, purposeful, and full of intensity. At first, she’s gentle, her lips tenderly exploring yours as though she’s savoring the moment. But as the kiss deepens, her confidence takes over, and she becomes more demanding, pressing you against her with a firm grip on your waist.

She’s a fan of long, passionate kisses, often wanting to take her time to feel the connection. However, when she’s feeling playful or needy, she can turn it into something heated quickly.

Abby loves kissing you on your forehead, especially when she’s feeling particularly affectionate or protective. It’s her way of showing she cares without saying it

Your loyalty is something she treasures deeply, as she finds it hard to trust others, but with you, she feels safe to let her guard down.

Abby’s drawn to how you challenge her, whether it’s in casual conversations or in moments of intimacy, always keeping her on her toes and making her think.

She adores the way you show affection, especially when you offer small, tender gestures that demonstrate your care for her, like tracing her scars or offering her a quiet moment to breathe.

Abby’s not shy about leaving marks, especially when she’s feeling possessive or protective. She loves to mark you as hers, a reminder to anyone else that you belong to her.

She can be a little rough with you when she’s particularly heated, biting or sucking on your skin with a sense of urgency. She might even pause to admire the hickeys afterward, a slight smirk on her face as she watches you squirm from the heat (If you’ve been together for a while, Abby might leave little marks in places only the two of you know about, as a private symbol of her affection and control.)

Abby’s dirty talk is rough, no holds barred, and calculated. She’s all about taking control and making you beg for it, and she doesn’t hold back from calling you names or pushing your buttons in all the right ways.

Abby doesn’t give up control easily. She’s a hard dom, and she expects you to follow her lead. It turns her on to see you submit to her

she loves spanking you. It could start slow, just a teasing tap, but it escalates quickly as she sees how much it turns you on. She’ll mark you up, and the sting from the slap on your ass stays with you long after she’s done.

While missionary can feel intimate, Abby likes to switch things up by pinning your wrists above your head and giving you no escape. It’s a perfect position for eye contact, and she enjoys how much control it gives her over your pleasure.

Abby gets off on lifting you, pinning you up against a wall or any available surface. The feeling of holding you up while taking you hard and fast turns her on

Abby isn’t gentle when she uses a strap-on. She goes all in, thrusting deeply, making you take all of it, all while commanding you to take her. She’ll order you to stay still, make you beg, and won’t let you move until she tells you to.

She loves watching you as she fucks you with the strap-on. Seeing your face contort with pleasure, the way you squirm beneath her, and hearing the moans and gasps you can’t hold back only heightens her desire. She’ll often tease you about how desperate you look.

Sometimes, Abby enjoys taking her time, slowly sliding in and out, building the intensity. She’ll alternate between gentle thrusts and hard, punishing ones. She likes to see how much you can handle before she goes faster or harder.

[sethsclearwater]

Girl it’s 5kkkkkkk!!!

Somewhere I feel you have a hidden dominant Seth and sub imprint…the act and after care??? Thanks babeee!

i ALWAYSSSSS have dom!seth x sub!reader in the vault lol

i also have an aftercare thing coming up for him soon so this is just smut rn

...

"there you go," seth groaned when he felt the way you were clenching around him at the new position, "eyes on me pretty girl," he reminded, flashing you a smile when you managed to get your focus back on him.

"feels good like this?" he asked, not stopping the way he was rolling his hips against yours, one hand on the back of your thigh to keep your leg above your head.

you nodded, moving to respond to him but all that came out was a breathy whine that had seth laughing, "'s my good girl," seth praised, "you think you can cum one more time for me?" he asked, already knowing you were well on your way despite having already having cum on him 3 other times that night.

"mhm-" was all you could muster before you were dropping your head back to let out another lewd moan that had seth struggling to keep his own composure.

with the newfound access to your collarbone, seth peppered your jawline with kisses, making his way down to the crook of your neck in the same slow, sensual way he was currently thrusting in and out of your heat.

you ran your hands down his chest, "can i touch myself?" you whispered, whining when seth pushed his hips into yours a little rougher than he had been.

"'s my job," he teased, lifting his head from your neck so he could look down at you, hooking your leg over his shoulder to free his hand so he'd have better access to you, "now cum for me, yea?" he asked, voice breathless and raspy in the way you'd become very familiar with since you'd started fucking him.

you'd only had a second to nod before he was rolling your clit between his fingers, another loud moan falling past your lips as you worked through all the sensations currently coursing through you.

before you could even begin to process how good everything felt, seth felt the need to add yet another sensation to the mix when he took your nipple into his mouth, sucking on and swirling his tongue around the sensitive bud.

"seth please-" you gasped, whining as you suddenly became much more aware of just how badly you needed to cum, the knot in your belly tightening until it was nearly unbearable to hold back.

"you've got it pretty girl," seth encouraged before he was diving back in, the combination of his tongue, cock, and fingers on your body snapping the knot in your belly as you came undone on him.

you wrapped your arms around his neck to pull him close to you, burying your face in the crook of his neck while you rode out your orgasm, seth continuing the sensual fluidity of his movements until he couldn't hold back his own orgasm anymore, thrusts stuttering for just a moment before he came undone inside you.

your breath was hot and heavy against his neck, both of you silent as you struggled to come back from the sensory overload that was your imprinter. seth pressed his lips to the crook of your neck, slowly peppering the sensitive skin with gentle kisses, "i love you," he murmured, lifting his head when you finally loosened your grip on him enough for him to comfortably hover over you again.

you let out a breathy giggle, smiling up at him, "i love you too pretty boy."

[corruptedcaps]

Travel Size: Alex

This is a sequel to my last story, Travel Size. Enjoy!

--

Alex waited impatiently for the bus while refreshing the social media feeds on her phone.

"Thank god, they're still partying." Alex said to herself as she watched a newly posted video on Becky's Instagram. In the video Becky, Cassie and Bianca were all dancing in a club surrounded by hot guys. A part of Alex was jealous but a stronger part of her was thankful that the newly made bitches were keeping themselves distracted.

It had only been a few hours since Alex had witnessed her best friends be turned into evil reflections of themselves. She couldn’t shake the horrifying images of Becky, Bianca, and Cassie transforming into arrogant, wicked versions of themselves.

That was why Alex was waiting on a bus. She needed to get back to college and more specifically she needed to get to Amber's sorority and find whatever regular sized vibrator she had and destroy it. If the travel size could create bitches like Becky and her friends, she shudder to think what a full sized one could unleash.

She didn’t even know if Amber owned a larger one or where she would keep it but she knew once it dawned on Becky that one could exist, then she would stop at nothing to get it. Alex had to destroy it.

After giving up on the bus, Alex hitchhiked most of the way back to their college town and finally arrived at Amber’s sorority house just after 5pm. It was an imposing, over-the-top building, complete with pristine landscaping and a giant Greek-lettered sign on the front but it was also empty thanks to the out of state cheerleading finals. Alex’s heart hammered as she climbed the steps to the door.

As she went to grab the handle of the door it suddenly swung open to reveal the tall, chiseled frame of a guy with sharp green eyes and attractively messy brown hair. Alex knew him as Amber’s trust fund boyfriend Max. His gaze swept over Alex, skeptical and faintly amused.

“Who are you?” He asked, his voice smooth and confident.

Alex stammered, trying to think of a plausible excuse. “Uh… hi, I’m one of your girlfriend’s friends. I, um, left something in her room the last time I was here.”

He smirked faintly. “You’re one of Becky’s friends?” He didn’t even try to hide his disbelief.

Alex panicked, it was worse than she thought. The vibrator had somehow warped reality so Amber wasn’t the top bitch on campus, Becky was. Alex figured she was spared from the memory of this new reality because she was present during its formation. But, she thought, this new world could work in her advantage.

“Okay, okay. The truth is… Becky’s not exactly my friend, not anymore. We used to be friends but then she decided I was better off being her victim. She makes me do her homework. And on the last assignment, I forgot to take my name off it. If she finds out, I’m dead.”

His smirk grew. “So, she’s your bully?”

Alex nodded earnestly, leaning into her pitiful act. “Yeah. Please, I just need to fix it before she gets back. I swear, I’ll be quick.”

He studied her for a long moment, then sighed, stepping aside. “Fine. But make it fast. Becky will kill me if she finds out I let you in.”

Alex rushed past him, her heart pounding. The sorority house was even more intimidating on the inside, filled with pristine furniture, expensive décor, and an air of unearned superiority. She climbed the grand staircase, the sound of her sneakers echoing against the marble floors, and found Becky’s room at the end of the hall.

It was just as she’d imagined, pink and white with designer everything. The bed was piled high with silk pillows, and the vanity sparkled with countless beauty products. Pictures showing Becky, Cassie and Bianca adorned the walls. Alex moved quickly to the nightstand, opening the drawer and rummaging through it until her fingers brushed against something cold and smooth.

She pulled it out and froze. There it was. Amber’s, now Becky’s, full-sized pink vibrator. It was twice the size of the one Becky had used, and its shiny surface gleamed ominously in the dim light. The words ‘Mega-Bitch’ embossed on its surface. Alex didn’t know why, but she knew if she destroyed it everything would go back to normal.

She picked it up carefully, her hands trembling. It looked so absurdly normal, for a vibrator, and yet it radiated an eerie power she could almost feel. She turned it over, inspecting it as if expecting it to spring to life.

“Okay, Alex.” She whispered to herself. “Just snap it in half. Do it. Right now.”

But as she tightened her grip, her eyes caught her reflection in the massive mirror over Becky’s dresser.

She froze. The mirror reflected every insecurity she had tried to ignore. Her plain, unremarkable features, her frizzy hair, her uneven skin, her awkward posture. She looked every bit the nobody she felt she was, standing in the middle of a room that belonged to someone who had everything.

Her breath hitched. The vibrator seemed to hum faintly in her hands, almost as if it were alive, urging her to act.

“Just one time.” A small, insidious voice whispered in the back of her mind. “What’s the harm? You deserve to be beautiful too, don’t you? Confident. Powerful. Somebody.”

Alex’s fingers hovered over the power button, trembling. She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head. She thought of Amber and her bitchy friends, she thought of her own corrupted friends, Becky, Cassie and Bianca. “No, I’m not like them.”

But when she opened her eyes again, the reflection in the mirror seemed to mock her, daring her to prove herself wrong. It looked like her, but the face twisted into a cruel smirk, the kind she’d seen on Amber’s face countless times.

“That’s right.” Her reflection sneered, its voice dripping with malice. “You’re not like them. They’re perfect, beautiful, untouchable. And you?” It laughed, the sound sharp and cutting. “You’re plain. Boring. Ugly. A nobody.”

Alex’s chest tightened as she tried to look away, but her reflection leaned closer, impossibly close, as though it were pressing through the glass.

“You’ll never be anything more than this. They’ll always walk all over you. Always look down on you. Unless…” It hissed

Alex’s breath hitched. “Unless what?”

The reflection’s smirk widened. “Unless you stop pretending you don’t want it. You felt it, didn’t you? The power in your hands. You could be more. No, you could be better. You could be everything. But you’ll never have the guts.”

Alex’s fingers hovered over the power button. “I… I can’t.”

“Of course you can’t. You’re weak. Always have been. Always will be. You don’t have what it takes to be one of them. You’ll always be nothing.” The reflection said, mocking.

Something inside Alex snapped. With a surge of anger, she pressed the button, and the vibrator whirred to life in her hands. The power of the vibration was so strong that her eyes instantly rolled back in her head and her clothes exploded from her body leaving her bare naked. It was a more powerful sensation than Becky had experienced, one designed to instantly enthrall and it worked as her lips curled into a smirk. She was a woman possessed.

Laying down on Becky’s plush bed, Alex lowered the vibrator in between her legs, the vibrator's hum filling her ears as she pressed it against her eager pussy. "Yessss!" She moaned, the sensation overwhelming, igniting a fire within her.

As she continued, her transformation began. Her hair turned from a mousy brown to a mouth-watering platinum blonde cascade, thick and shiny, framing her face in a way that screamed 'hot'. Her lips swelled, becoming juicy and inviting, perfect for both seduction and sneers. Her nails lengthened, sharp and glossy, adding to her newfound, bratty look.

"Fuck, yesssss!" She groaned, her breasts expanding, becoming fuller, rounder, making her silhouette undeniably sexy. The change in her body was not just physical, it was as if each vibration was sculpting her into something more... bitchy, more dominant.

"Yes, make me into an evil bitch! Make me into THE evil bitch!" She hissed, her voice filled with a provocative edge. Her skin seemed to glow, becoming flawless and tempting, the kind of beauty that could make anyone falter.

Her moans grew louder, more demanding, as if each sound was peeling away layers of her former self. "Fuck, yesssss, Becky and Amber are fucking nothing compared to what I’ll be!" She yelled, her body writhing in ecstasy, the pleasure morphing her into someone unrecognizable. Her curves became more pronounced, her posture more confident, her entire being radiating an aura of superiority.

As her orgasm crashed over her, it was like the final seal on her new identity. Her good nature was gone, replaced by a cold disdain, her vanity now immense, her once gentle soul now filled with a bratty, bitchy darkness.

All the pictures in the room changed to images of her. No friends, just her. All she needed was herself.

"Pathetic." She sneered at the thought of her old self, her new voice dripping with scorn. "I was such a waste before. Now, everyone will see, everyone will know... I am the queen."

Sitting up, her reflection was no longer mocking her. It was her, and it grinned back at her with the same ferocity she felt inside. Alex was no more. In her place was a vision of sexy, unapologetic power, ready to cast her shadow over the campus, leaving a trail of awe and submission in her wake. She was Lexi now.

After her transformation, Alex walked over to her new closet with graceful and assured strides. She took pleasure in imagining herself in each of the expensive and revealing outfits but eventually she selected items that would showcase her new, sexy persona.

First, she slipped into a white lace bra that cradled her now fuller, more voluptuous breasts, the delicate material contrasting sharply with her transformed body. The bra seemed almost too small, hugging her curves in a way that was both provocative and flattering.

Next, she pulled on a short black skirt, the hemline daringly high, revealing her shapely legs. The fabric clung to her hips, accentuating her figure in a way that screamed for attention. Her hands then glided over her legs as she donned shear lace black tights, their intricate pattern adding a layer of mystery and danger to her ensemble.

She sat back on the bed, snapping pictures of herself, admiring her reflection. The outfit transformed her into the epitome of seductive power, her previous nerdy self now just a distant memory.

"Look at me, I'm perfect." She whispered to her reflection, her voice a mix of pride and the new, bratty confidence.

Max had heard the moans and, concerned, decided to check on Alex. What he found was not the nerdy girl he had let in but a transformed vision, a beautiful goddess.

For a second his mind was awash with confusion until reality settled in his mind and new memories solidified. Lexi was the baddest bitch on campus, a beautiful terror who dripped of bratty arrogance and she was all his.

He still remembered when he brought her to meet his rich parents and how quickly they took to her but he remembered that night more for Lexi’s ability to give him a handjob under the dinner table without his parents realizing.

"What some company?" Max asked, his voice smooth and confident.

Lexi looked at him, her eyes drinking him in. Her new body ached to be touched and worshipped by another. He would do. Without a word, she curled her finger, beckoning him closer with a smirk that promised both danger and pleasure.

As Max stood before her, she reached up, pulling him into a deep, passionate kiss. Their lips met with an intensity that spoke of desire and conquest. Lexi's hands roamed over Max's body, pulling him onto the bed with her.

"Fuck me like you've never fucked anyone." Lexi whispered into his ear, her voice a sultry command.

Max, overwhelmed by the raw sexuality she exuded, didn't need any encouragement. His hands explored her newly curvaceous form as she undid his pants. Lexi moaned, her voice now a mix of pleasure and triumph as she felt his big cock slide into her, his thrusts deep and rhythmic.

Their bodies moved in sync, each movement more desperate than the last. Lexi wrapped her legs around him, pulling him deeper, her nails digging into his back as she arched into him, meeting his every thrust with equal fervor. The room filled with the sounds of their passion, her moans mixing with his grunts, the bed creaking under their intensity.

Lexi felt powerful, each movement a step towards taking what she wanted. She looked into Max's eyes, her own filled with a victorious gleam. "Harder you big dick bastard!" She urged, her voice dripping with a mix of need and command. Max, lost in the moment, obeyed, driving into her with a force that made her scream in ecstasy.

As Max felt the familiar tension building towards climax, Lexi, with a mischievous glint in her eye, suddenly reoriented their positions, pushing his back onto the bed so she could mount him. Her pussy expertly gripping his cock, holding his orgasm at bay. He groaned, the pleasure almost too much to bear, yet there he was, teetering on the edge without release.

"What are you doing?" Max managed to ask, his voice strained with need.

Lexi leaned close, her breath hot against his ear. "I'll let you cum, if you let me stick this up your ass as you do." She said with a grin as she produced the big vibrator.

Max shook his head, trying to resist the overwhelming sensation. "No way! If the guys find out I’ll never hear it down." He gasped out, though his body betrayed his words, craving the release.

With a grin that was both seductive and cruel, Lexi began to lift herself off him. "Okay, then, suit yourself." She said, her tone teasing, starting to dismount.

But Max couldn't let her go. The need to cum was too intense, his body overriding his fear of reprisal. With a desperate move, he pulled her back down onto him. "Fine! Do whatever you want!" He pleaded, his resolve crumbling under the pressure of his unfulfilled desire.

Lexi's grin widened, enjoying the power she wielded over him. She leaned in, her lips brushing against his as she whispered, "Good boy. You’ll love it, I swear."

She inserted the vibrator into his butt while his cock was still deep inside her. She didn't turn it on immediately, instead, she began to move her hips in slow, teasing circles, keeping him on the edge, prolonging his torment for her own amusement.

"Please!" Max begged, his hands gripping her hips, trying to guide her movements.

“Please what?” Lexi said enjoying watching him squirm.

“Please… turn it on.” He groaned, desperate for sweet release.

With an evil grin she switched it on and Max began to shudder with ecstasy as but then felt an immediate, strange sensation. As the vibrations coursed through him, his body began to change. His features softened, his skin became smoother, his hair lengthened and darkened into a rich, flowing mane. His muscles reshaped, and his frame became more slender, more feminine.

“W-what the hell is happening to me?” Max whine, his voice going up several octaves. Lexi simply smirked as she felt his cock shrink inside her, gradually disappearing until it was replaced by a slick, new pussy.

The transformation was surreal for Lexi but weirdly erotic as well but what happened next pumped the erotism into high gear. The vibrator, now buzzing without her hand on it, suddenly grew pink bands that wrapped themselves around her waist, turning into an impressive strap-on.

"Mmmm now, let's see how you like it." Lexi said with a smirk, beginning to thrust with the new strap-on. Max, now Maxine, felt waves of pleasure unlike anything she had known before, her body responding in ways she never could have imagined.

"Please, Lexi!" Maxine moaned, her voice now higher, more feminine, filled with both confusion and ecstasy.

Lexi continued, her movements deliberate, claiming her new conquest. "You're mine now bitch, in every way! I’m your queen." She whispered, her voice dripping with dominance and satisfaction as she watched Maxine's transformation continue under her influence.

However the strap-on itself started to evolve even more. The base started to grow backwards towards Lexi, creating a long thick shaft that slithered into her pussy. Lexi’s eyes rolled back in pleasure and she felt a euphoria like nothing she had felt before. The vibrator seemed to speak to her, giving itself to her. It recognized her as a true wicked bitch for her act of transforming Max and opened her mind to its power and its secrets.

Lexi came again but this time it was as much a mental release as a physical one. She could see the way the vibrator could warp reality, how it could twist people it corrupted and she now had control over it. She would make Maxine’s new reality whatever she wanted.

The pleasure built, and with a final, deep thrust, Maxine reached her orgasm, her new body shuddering in delight, her new persona erasing Max entirely from her own mind and from reality.

In this reality, Maxine was Lexi’s cum slave, who lived to please her mistress and do everything that she commanded. She was her devoted little pet. Lexi would send Maxine to prowl the campus for hot guys and round them up for parties. Maxine was an expert at finding the hottest, richest guys that would vie for Lexi's attention.

However, Lexi had a new group in mind to round up for her now.

“Maxine, I have a special job for you. I need you to bring me Amber, Becky, Cassie and Bianca one by one to my room when they come back from their trip. Do you understand?” Lexi said as she pulled out of Maxine making the girl groan.

“Y-yes mistress. But why those four? They are just common sisters of the sorority.” Maxine asked.

Lexi stood up from the bed and walked once again to the closet. Her outfit had been ruined by the energetic fucking and she needed a change. Once opened she spotted a shiny reflective dress that would be perfect for the rest of the evening, no matter how 'energetic' she would become.

After doing a few twirls, approving all her angles, she strode over to Maxine with the vibrator in hand. As she walked in her 6 inches heels the straps flowed back into it and disappeared as if they had never been there. Although Lexi knew she could make them appear if she wanted. She felt a symbiotic link to the device now that Amber never had.

“Take this and use it on yourself.” Lexi grinned holding out the vibrator.

Maxine looked at the vibrator with reverence and even desire but she couldn’t bring herself to even stretch her arm out.

“N-no mistress. I couldn’t.” Maxine said dropping her head. Lexi smirked and put the vibrator into her side drawer.

“That’s why I want those girls specifically brought to me. They need to… reconditioned. But don’t worry, you’ll still be my number one slave.” Lexi said as she tilted Maxine’s chin up.

“Now go, they won’t be back for at least a day and I have some planning to do.” Lexi said her brief moment of warmth turning icy cold again.

Maxine rose from the bed and left the room quickly. Lexi loved the power she now had over her and couldn’t wait to break in the other girls.

She looked at her wicked reflection and it seemed to smile back and gesture to the side drawer. “Mmm why not, I deserve it.” She smirked as she opened the drawer and took out the vibrator and held it in her hand. Only this time she didn’t press it to make it rumble, instead it seemed to come on based on her thoughts. Even the button had disappeared.

As she slipped it into her wanting pussy she knew her reign was only starting and no one would be able to take it from her.

[alexrosa13]

To Belong

Luke x female!reader x Kieran//twins x reader ★ platonic!Sylus x reader ★ platonic!mc x reader ★ Sylus x mc

Genre: fluff/angsty

Warnings: 19k words, reader and mc are two different people!, 3rd person perspective!, spoilers to twins lore! (reading World Underneath: Mischief is highly recommended before reading this fic), small hints/spoilers to Sylus myth, mention of human experiments, mention of character trauma, mention of sa, protective dad Sylus, twins crushing on reader hard

Note: timeline of this fic happens between 2042 (reader&twins 12★Sylus 22) and 2048 (current timeline of the game★reader&twins 18★Sylus 28) and I hope it will be clear enough while reading.

for masterlist and request info head to the navigation →

half-edited by @asiakim03, rest proofread by me; special dedication for @pozuki for making me post it after it's been sitting in my drafts for 2 months

~★~

Sometimes teen love is floating, sometimes you may find your soulmate; but what if you got two?

2044, Middle of Winter.

The chances of a power outage in the middle of the night in one of the main areas of the EVER building are slim, but not impossible. Amid the chaos, with everyone panicking and scrambling to find the cause of the issue, no one notices that one of the computers has been accessed. Test records from years ago have been opened, and crucial information is being systematically deleted. In a matter of seconds, there will be no valuable data left.

????? Control EVOL Test Record

Subject ID

668

Subject Name

- - - - -

Age

??

Experimental Side Effect(s) Log

no information available

Evaluation Results

no information available

Several electronic devices had shut off on their own but a few minutes later, the power in the building was suddenly restored. Night-shift workers gradually returned to the office responsible for managing the experiment database. Everyone have taken themselves onto their assigned seats and began checking for any missing files.

The hours have passed and everything seemed fine yet, no one had ought to check the old files that had been forgotten over time. Everything have appeared intact and by the next day, the incident dismissed as an accident and have been quickly forgotten.

After all, why would someone make the commotion happen just to leave everything in it's place? It seems that no person working there will ever know the truth about the erased data. To be fair: who would have though that someone hacked the building data just to erase some not important piece of old experiment notes, perhaps containing information regarding someone who's presumably dead? And who would even think that the person behind it would be some big shot from N108 Zone? Exactly, no one.

And to be honest, it's better for them to not know.

~★~★~★~

2042, Late Autumn.

N109 Zone was in chaos that day. Buildings on fire, people bleeding and dying, while the ones who were still in good enough shape was able to fortunately run away from the mess. There were sounds of shooting and fighting everywhere you go. Yet, no one even remembers what started this blood-lust show.

A person was seen calmly standing with their hands in the pockets of their elegant pants. A man looking so out of place in the middle of such chaos, but at the same time fitting there perfectly like the most important detail on a masterpiece.

There's at least a dozen dead bodies laying before him as the look he throws at them a look of disgust. Suddenly, his eyes turned to look at the half-collapsed wall, noticing a kid hiding there who's looking at the man with eyes full of curiosity yet not even a hint of fear. Probably a stray with no family.

They continue to look at each other, the man then cocks an eyebrow and his face show the slightest tinge of shock. Why can't he see that kid's desire? Why does his evol not work on them? For a moment, he sees their eyes glowing up a bit, it's an evolver too. But no person with or without an evol would be able to hide their desires before him.

He let out a an amused chuckle, his curiosity rising. What kind of power do they posses? Either way, it wasn't a question he needed an answer for. That kid probably won't even survive long in this area. Without a word, he turned around and walked away from the mess he had left in his enemies' base, not giving a single thought about the unusual child he met.

However, something clinged onto him after he took a couple of steps and that made him stop in his tracks. He looked down again meeting the eyes of that kid.

"What do you want?" his voice, rough and cold was just like his stares but he didn't get an answer. The seemingly clueless child staring at him in silence. Their expression emotionless, no fear, no sadness, no anger.

What was wrong with them? No child should be able to hide their emotions this well. Of course, they weren't 5 years old or so but still, they couldn't be older than 13. Two questions appeared in the back if his mind: what happened to this runt and what was he supposed to do with it?

He had no answer to any of them.

"What? Am I supposed to just take you with me now?" he asked in a sarcastic voice yet still didn't get an answer. He tried to move away from their little hug— for their hands were not even able to wrap themselves fully around his waist— and succeeded. Giving them one last glance over his shoulder before proceeding to walk away, leaving dead bodies behind him to rot or get caught in flames, he couldn't care less.

Who would have thought that today would be the day a new shadow started following him?

~★~★~★~

2046, Middle of Winter.

"Boss, that Sherman guy is suspicious. We'll keep an eye on him for you!" says Luke, kneeling with his twin before Sylus.

"We know his address, his usual spots, and his contacts. We can report to you every two weeks," Kieran added after his brother.

The 'Boss' seems to think about it for a minute, his expression unreadable. Finally he spoke to.. who exactly?

"What do you think, little one? Should I agree?" He tilted his head toward something behind him, and both boys glanced in that direction, noticing a silhouette a few meters away, leaning against a tree with a hood pulled low over their head.

The twins looked at each other, dumbfounded— both thinking: 'Who is that?' before looking back at the mysterious person, meeting their eyes. The rest of their face hidden behind a medical black mask. For whatever reason, they couldn't look away as if hypnotized.

After a couple of seconds, that person finally looked away. Their gaze turning to Sylus, nodding once in his direction before straightening their posture and walking away with no rush.

"I'll see you in two weeks," these words constitute the only command they receive.

"Understood, boss." when they finally stood up, they realize Sylus has already vanished.

They looked at each other sharing a grin at the fact that their 'plan' succeeded. Their happiness however was cut short by someone's soft chuckling coming from behind them. They turned around fast and noticed a girl around their age, sitting at a nearby tree.

"Congratulations on your new job, boys," she smiled at them, her hands grabbing a branch above her head, her body leaning forward towards their direction.

"And, you are?" Luke took a step forward, looking at her with a sly smirk on his face.

"It’s you," Luke turned to his brother, confused. But a moment later, he heard his twin’s voice in his head: ‘Look at her eyes.’ He did—and then he understood.

The mysterious girl started giggling to herself quietly but eventually, she couldn't help it and began laughing so hard that the branch she was sitting on started to shake.

"You should have seen your faces!" she said after calming herself down a little, smile still visible on her lips.

'Pretty...' The twins voiced in their minds, both looked at each other in shock. How did they think about THAT at the same time.

"I hope you'll do a good job so I'll be able to see you two again, " she jumped off the tree, landing gracefully on the grass and taking a couple of steps towards the twins. "It would be such a shame for such cute faces to end up dead on the ground, don't you think?" She smiled at them, a little more genuine and soft this time.

Luke and Kieran still couldn't comprehend the situation they found themselves in right now, but before any more words could leave their mouth, the girl already started moving forward. She walked straight through the gap between their bodies, her shoulders touching theirs for a split second and just like this, she left them behind.

The twins looked at each other, not being able to gather their thoughts at the moment. Both of them had a million questions flowing through their minds; 'Who is she?', 'Does she work for Sylus?', 'Why couldn't they look away from her eyes earlier?' suddenly, their eyes widen over something else that just registered in their heads.

"DID SHE JUST CALL US CUTE?"

~★~★~★~

2047, Early Spring.

The twins had been working as Sylus' spies for some time now, reporting back to him every two weeks as agreed. In the meantime, they also began spending more time at his base, occasionally even staying overnight in the many available guest rooms.

However, the mysterious girl they had met when they first asked Sylus to let them work for him hadn’t appeared anywhere near their line of sight since that day. They tried to ask Sylus about her but he brushed them off every single time.

Today was another failed attempt to pry.

"No," was the only thing leaving Sylus' mouth at the mention of 'the person they saw that day' and this time, they didn't even manage to finish their sentence before his refusal.

"Oh c'mon Boss, we need to know!"

"Why can't you just tell us? Is her existence top Onychinus type of secret or something?"

"If that's the case, then we have the right to know since we're official Onychinus members now!" All sorts of reasoning started flowing out of the twins' mouths, they stopped only after noticing the glare Sylus threw their way.

"If she wanted you two to know who she is, she would have already told you herself," after that, their Boss-man went to his office, making it clear that he is not in the mood to listen to teenagers rambling for even a minute longer. Luke and Kieran shared a look and even through their masks, they could still read the other's disappointed expression.

They sat on the couch, defeated, their limbs sprawled across the cushions and their heads resting against the backrest. Both stared at the ceiling, trying to come up with a new plan to meet the girl again. They weren't ones to give up easily, but after trying for so long, they were running out of ideas.

After a couple minutes of brainstorming, they both let out sounds of defeat. They had tried everything, yet still, nothing worked. Was she enjoying their suffering from the shadows?

"I'm so tired of his, man. We did everything! How are we supposed to meet someone who literally doesn't show any signs of existence other than that one time?!" Luke shoot up from his seat, accidentally spilling a glass of water which for whatever reason found itself at the edge of the table. "Oh, c'mon!" He picked up the glass, which was thankfully still intact and had put it back a little further away this time.

"Eh, I'll go get some napkins," Kieran stood up, stretching his limbs a bit and turned towards the kitchen area. Before he could take a step forward, his twin's hand abruptly grabbed his clothing and made him sit back down "What?"

"Look here!" He did as instructed, shifting his gaze to the spot on the table where water had spilled. Lying next to it was a sheet of paper with writing on it, the ink growing blurrier as the water spread.

They leaned over to read the note before it ends up completely unreadable.

Did you know that the best dreams happen in the room with the clear view at the night sky?

→ right wing of the mansion, second floor, right corridor, last door

see you in a dream ☆

They looked at the item lying next to the paper: a necklace with a small orb as its pendant. It resembled the night sky, with a moon and stars shining inside, the entire scene shifting slowly and unhurriedly, revealing different angles of the image. Luke reached out to touch it, but as his hand neared, the inside of the orb began to change.

He moved his hand away, startled. The brothers shared a look of curiosity before once again looking at the necklace. Its image now showing warm sunrise with clouds floating around it.

"Did you somehow influence it?" Kieran leaned a little closer for a better look.

~★~

"Was it the left or right corridor?" Kieran's hushed voice could be heard on top of the staircase leading to the second floor in the right wing of Sylus' mansion.

"Right one. To be honest how is he not getting lost in all of those corridors? I swear that this place is a maze made to trap victims inside." twins started walking through another never-ending corridor, but luckily this time there were no random small passages on the way.

Finally they reached the end of their very tiring journey (they were sneaking around the mansion for half an hour now, trying to avoid their Boss... He probably saw them anyways). They looked at each other, a little unsure now if they got to the right door.

Well now or never. Both of them reached for the handle, moving it together.

Doors opened quietly and before their eyes appeared a huge room with a window taking the whole wall on the opposite side to the door. The furniture all in black. The ceiling in this room seemed higher that ones in the other rooms they had seen. Behind the window was a view of the night, red sky of the N109 zone it's moon right in the middle, making the room seem almost magical and mysterious in a way.

They closed the door taking in their surroundings. Shelves fit perfectly with the walls, inside them books and random items in various colors going from crystals, to skulls, to candles (some burning, some not), jewelry and a lot more. In the middle of the room, literally in the floor, it's place found a huge mattress adored with various pillows and blankets.

In the end their eyes reached the table placed in the space between the window and a mattress. They cautiously moved towards it, still taking in the details of the room. They approached it from two sides and their eyes found themself looking at the thing right in the middle of it. It looked like a little tower made out of glass with a round spot engraved right on top of it as if something should be put there.

"What is that?"

"I have no idea."

They started thinking about what to do in this situation, and finally Kieran thought about something. He reached towards his neck and pulled the necklace from underneath his clothes taking it off through his head, being careful while getting it over his mask.

"Do you think we're supposed to put it here?" he hanged the necklace on his hand, the orb levitating right above the glass thingy.

"I mean she left it for us for some reason yeah? Might as well try it, what can go wrong?" both boys shrugged, not caring about the possibilities of the bad outcome much (as always).

Kieran slowly lowered the necklace, the orb fitting inside the glass structure like a glove. Suddenly the candles started burning brighter than when they first walked in, flames dancing in every direction and even some of the not lit ones came to life.

Twins looked around themself for some time, trying to understand what was going on, until something looking like a white string started coming from the little orb, making a perfect circle around the two and the table. Little dots started showing themselves on the thin line, some bigger, some smaller, some light, some dark, it wasn't long before the whole string was full of it and then another one started creating itself.

They locked eyes, thinking about the sight before then, not moving. Suddenly they heard a voice coming from above them and looking up they saw their mysterious girl sitting on the swing connected to the ceiling, swaying slowly a couple of meters above the huge mattress. They could swear it wasn't there when they walked in!

"It's my Dream Seal." she looked at them with a soft smile, the swing started slowly lowering itself.

"Your dream what?" the twins asked at the same time, looking mesmerized at the girl dressed in the prettiest flowing dress they ever saw.

Finally the swing lowered itself enough for her to put her legs on the mattress, standing up on it she made her way towards the table, which took her maybe five steps. The string made by the orb broke for her to get through and patched itself up right after, adding her into the circle.

"My Dream Seal. I put and lock my dreams inside of it. You could say that it's like a diary." she explained to them, slight smile still noticeable on her face, her eyes focusing on the orb glowing in the middle of the table. She reached out her hand, making a slow and graceful movement as if petting the orb without actually touching it.

Instantly it reacted to her presence, glowing a bit brighter especially in the places right below her hand.

She moved the same hand to create a circle in the air with her palm, making another string appear in the place of her previous movement. Another dot, a little bigger from the rest floated around them, showed itself right before her and started to go move around like the rest.

She put her hand under the line and when the little orb came right above it the room began changing it's appearance.

Twins started looking around curious about what exactly is happening. Finally their eyes saw what looked to be a grassland full of various flowers all around them, not seeing anything else in the distance but clear sky and flowers. They looked at each other, their eyes widening at the realization that their masks are off.

Their clothes changed from their usual black and red uniforms to simple white shirts, pants and shoes. They looked around trying to notice the girl that was next to them seconds ago, but there were no other silhouette in sight... Until their turned their heads once more....

Their faces were betraying the shock they felt at the scene playing right before them. Two of them, smiling and laughing, Luke sitting on the grass, pulled up on his hands and Kieran lying down on his back. What shocked them was the fact that their mysterious girl was lying there with them. Her head resting on Luke's thigh and her legs thrown around Kieran's belly.

One of Luke's hands playing with her hair while Kieran caressed her legs softly. The girl herself was just lying there, her eyes closed but a light smile still visible, looking perfectly content with the closeness of the twins.

None of them dared to move or look away, their minds silent, trying to save the moment into their memory. They looked at the images of themselves seeing their true smiles, feeling the real happiness, without the pain of their past following them and breaking the innocent moment.

Slowly but surely, the light from the dream started fading, their calm silhouettes leaving together with it. They never craved the sunlight more than at this very moment. The darkness of the room and the slight light coming from the red moon of the N109 Zone brings them back into reality. Their masks back on, the moment of vulnerability left behind together with the strings, of what they imagine are dreams, coming back to the orb they came from.

Their minds still couldn't wrap themself completely around what they just saw. They looked at each other, communicating without words and then turned their heads towards the mattress a couple steps away from them, the girl sitting on it crosslegged, with her back towards them and a book in her hands. Both brothers stood there, stuck in one place, their heartbeats matching in their fast rhythm.

Both with only one question in mind: what was that?

"You know, even with your masks I can still tell who is who." her voice finally broke the silence, she sounded unfazed by what just took place, unlike the twins.

"Oh really? Do you even know our names missy?" Luke being the first to come back to his usual demeanor, crossing his arms and tilting his head to the side (which must have looked adorable with his mask btw) sending the girl a 'challenging' look, she glanced at him over her shoulder and giggled a bit.

"Really Luke. How dare you doubt me?" she put her hand on her chest, exactly where her heart is, and sent him a 'hurt' look, obviously for show.

"Well would you look at that! You do know our names!" the older of the twins proclaimed, clasping his hands together and taking a step forward "Maybe it's about the time when we learn yours Miss..?" he sent her a pleading look, even though she couldn't see it, she could imagine it all the same.

"What do you think, Kieran? Is knowing my name actually so important for you?" she looked at the second brother who was unusually silent.

"It's- Well we both are dying to get to know it since our very first meeting, so if you would be kind enough to share it, we would be very, and by very I mean VERY, entirely grateful to you." finally it seemed that he came back to his normal self. Taking two steps forward he stood right next to his brother, both looking expectantly at the girl like little kids waiting for their promised treat.

"Hah so I've never left your minds since that night? It's been months babes. Did I turn your whole worlds over without even trying? Damn am I that hot?" the nickname she gave them and her loud laugh made their hearts stop and start beating all over again. She turned to face them, her legs still crossed and her upper-half supported by her outstretched arms. The book that she was previously occupied with ended up lying forgotten next to her. "It's Y/n."

They whispered her name at the same time, finally reaching the goal they were going after all this time. There was a moment of awkward silence with them not knowing what to say or ask and with her just staring at them, as if enjoying their stress. How dare she! But after some time she was still the first one to break the silence and stop their suffering.

"Do you have any other questions or is that it for today? You know... Boss will probably look for you soon, since it's his time of the day." she whispered the last part like a secret, sending them a wink.

Twins looked at each other finally knowing exactly what question they wanted to ask.

"What was that thing..."

"That we saw after you did something to that... Floating thing?" their voices betrayed their curiosity and nerves. They needed to know.

"It was a dream." she sounded so casual about it. How could this not move her at all?!

"A..."

"Dream..." twins still not completely understanding what was going on. They started a quick conversation in their heads.

'But if that was a dream...'

'And dreams are supposed to belong to someone, right?'

'Did you dream about that?!'

'Dude no! Not me!'

'But it wasn't me either!'

'Well if it wasn't mine nor your dream, then...'

They turned their heads at the lightning speed to look at each other, shock on their faces hidden behind the masks.

'IT WAS HERS?!'

"Did you come to the right conclusion yet? Because judging from your reactions, you did." they turned to look at the girl once more, still dumbfounded.

"You dreamed of us?" Kieran was the one of the duo speaking first this time.

"Not only us, but us in THAT situation?" Luke added, his voice a little raised and hurried to let the words out. Both of them stared at the girl before them, who still held her composure very well despite the situation she was in. How was she this calm when they were literally freaking out?!

"I do not have control over my dreams." she finally stood up from the mattress, taking some steps until her feet were on a steady ground right before them. Then she did something unexpected, she took one of Kieran's hands into hers, doing the same with Luke and held their palms closer to herself, closing her eyes, and breathing out heavily. Their linked hands started glowing slightly, both boys stared at them, not knowing what to do, but also somehow... Enjoying her closeness. Not opening her eyes she started talking to them, while still holding their hands in hers.

"Dreams are a fascinating phenomena. We forget most of them right after waking up, with some staying in our memory forever. We can dream about anything: from the past to present, to future, to things reminding us of our demons but also the memories of the things we hold dear to our hearts." finally opening her eyes her gaze jumping between both of them until finally finding it's place on their linked hands "I... Don't know myself why I dreamed of you in that situation, so I am afraid that I do not have the answers you seek right now. Something in my head never lets me forget you, ever since that meeting." she let go of their hands, lowering her own ones down, linking them together. Luke and Kieran just stood there, letting their own hands come back to their place next to their hips.

None of them dared to move, afraid to break the moment. They could still feel the lingering warm on their palms from her hands holding them.

Her eyes finally looked up at them, glowing. They both watched her closely, not knowing what she was doing with her 'magic' right before the moment, but none of them cared about it, something in them saying to trust her.

"You know... I never met anyone like you. I was watching you over the last couple of months on your little missions. You're like one person. The very same appearance. The masks and the faces before the incident matching perfectly. But somehow I see you as two different personas. The very same but different." the glow in her eyes slowly fading, but her warm smile coming back to make up for it "I can't wait to play more of 'guess the difference'."

She poked their masks with a small laugh. Waking them up from their trance.

"I believe that you have to go, today Sylus has an important meeting, you know." she walked past them to the table, taking the orb still resting on it, putting it over her head.

"Oh c'mon, sitting here with you is so much more interesting than some boring meeting." Luke proclaimed with a sigh of annoyance in his voice. Did they have to go?

"I believe that there will be a rather... Explosive moment, so you won't get too bored there." she let out a laugh, turning towards them and leaning on the table behind her "Besides I have something to do in the meantime, so even tho I would love to stay here and entertain you two cuties, I can't." she send them apologizing look.

"But you won't disappear like before, right?" Kieran's voice followed her statement. He was thankful for Luke's idea with the masks now more than ever, it saved him from reviling the blush on his cheeks at the nicknames the girl was giving them.

"Not this time, promise. At least not for this long." she shrugged.

"You better keep this promise or we'll find you ourselves" Luke pointed finger in her direction trying to look the most threatening he could, but it only made the girl laugh more.

"Oh I'm so scared~" she let out in a mocking tone, raising her hands as it to show 'im innocent officer'.

"Yeah, you better be!" the older of the twins continued his 'intimidating' act. Making Kieran scoff a bit at his behavior.

"Okay, okay, I promise you'll see me soon. But now I really have to go and I advise you to do the same." she stood up straight, her dress instantly fixing itself to look perfect "See you~" her voice sang right when she was passing by them, heading to the door.

Both boys let out their goodbyes and soon they heard the click of the door closing and their 'not-so-mysterious-anymore' girl walking out, leaving them alone with a thousand thoughts.

They stared at the door in silence for a moment longer before they spoke at the same time again.

"I think I'm in love."

"You too?!"

They instantly looked at each other shocked, but at the same time not really. They were so similar in so many aspects, but honestly they never thought of girls and crushes ever before, focusing on surviving and having their fun, but she seemed like she could bring even more fun to the group.

"Sooo... What do we do?" Luke asked, more relaxed now than before with the girl in the room, as he tried his best not to screw up anything in front of her. Obviously they will never argue because of the girl, but they had to sort it out somehow.

"I mean... She seemed pretty positive about both of us, right?" Kieran shrugged, based on the girl's dream they saw earlier the solution to this little 'problem' of theirs was rather obvious, no?

"So... What you are suggesting is... That we could both date her?" Luke looked deep in thought and for a moment Kieran even looked at him like at the biggest dumbass in the world.

"Yes. That is exactly what I suggest we do." he blinked his eyes, stating the obvious.

"But how will that work?" Luke continued to question.

"I have no idea, but hey, we'll manage, we always do. Also honestly I never thought about it but having one girlfriend with our... Situation is actually rather obvious choice, no?" at this sentence his older brother just nodded his head, silently agreeing. but then something else caught his eye.

"Wait. Where is that swing?!"

~★~★~★~

2047, Middle of Spring.

Weeks passed by with twins getting to know their mysterious girl. Even after getting to know her a little better she still seems to live 24/7 in their heads, somehow they are even more curious about her now than before knowing her.

They became friends fast after their second meeting, with her becoming their partner in crime when it came to pranks, but even though they became really close and spent hours to no end together, they still didn't know much about her. They were dying to know why and since when was she working for Sylus, but she always laughs at their questions saying that it's not important for them to know.

A couple of days ago they came out with a plan to spy on the two to try and gain information to satisfy their curiosity. However it was easier said than done. To be honest they saw those two together in the same room maybe two to three times? Just what kind of relationship did they have?! They needed to know.

They waited for days to finally put their plan into the reality, they waited for a perfect moment, observing those two like professional stalkers. The fact that both of their targets noticed their weird behavior was not really helpful, but none of them really paid them any mind, so who cares?

Eventually they got the perfect opportunity to 'strike'. They were going down the stairs, planning to go and chill in the mansion's main area while also waiting for their (ekhem ekhem crush) favorite girl to come see them, like she usually does. When they were on their way they suddenly heard voices, coming from the corridor leading to Sylus's office.

Looking at each other they instantly became quiet, moving a little closer to the wall. The voices were a little far away, since the corridor was pretty long, but luckily they weren't being exactly quiet.

"... what do you want to do about it? That guy is a scumbag and we both know it. I don't care about your business, if you won't take care of him: I will." they heard the voice of Y/n sounding harsh and annoyed, not leaving the ground to argue, something they never heard from her before.

"Sweetie I won't let you get yourself straight into their trap. You are not going there and that's the end of it." Sylus answered in his usual tone, clearly not impressed by the girl's intimidating speech.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" twins literally jumped up a bit at the scream, they never heard her raise her voice before "That motherfucker uses girls my age for his fucking business! I can tolerate many things Sylus. Fuck that! I literally killed people myself before, but he destroys them more and more everyday! If you will just sit on your ass and wait for him to finish his business with you, I'll deal with that bastard myself and never come back here again." twins looked at each other, clearly fearing that Sylus will just let her go and never come back.

"Y/n I promise you that bastard will get what he deserves, and I'll make him go through worse hell than you can even imagine. All I ask of you is to just give me a little more time." how was he still so calm?!

"... How much time do you need?" now sounding more calm than before, but still clearly mad, judging from the way her tone sounded cold and resentful.

"3 days."

"Alright, and not a second longer." her voice was quiet enough for the boys to have a problem with hearing it.

"Have I ever given you a reason to doubt me, sweetie?" Boss's voice still intact like always, not even a hint of anger at the girl's outburst from a moment ago. Who was she to him?! How could she talk to him like that and not face any consequences?!

"No. And I never will doubt you. But you know why it's so important to me." her voice gets more quiet with each word.

After that they didn't hear any more words from the two people behind the wall.

'What is happening?'

'I don't know! Maybe we should peek?'

They were considering the idea for some seconds, before finally giving in to their curiosity once more. The sight before their eyes got them dumbfounded.

They saw Sylus holding the girl in his arms and looking at her concerned. She seemed to be in a bad shape, holding onto him weakly while visibly going limp in his hug. Both of the twins stared at the scene, not even caring anymore about getting to the truth about the relationship between the two, they were afraid for the girl they grew affectionate towards, she never looked this weak and vulnerable when spending time with them, what happened to her?

"... Dad..." they heard her pained whisper and saw her going completely limp in Sylus arms. Their Boss's face immediately changed into an even deeper concern.

Suddenly they saw Sylus's eyes glance towards them. They stood there numb, not even having the strength to try and hide or pretend like they were just passing by after the events that just took, and were still taking, place.

Their Boss didn't even pay them any mind, much more worried about the girl than those two seeing anything. He snooped her into his arms, princess carrying her into his office, and closing the door behind him with his evol.

Twins still stood in one place, worried sick and clueless as to what was currently happening to their favorite girl.

"Boss looked worried as much as we are, do you think it's something serious?" Luke's voice first to break the silence.

"I don't know, I wish we could just go into that office, but he'll probably have our heads for this." Kieran sat down on the floor, his back leaning onto the wall.

Luke followed his brother, sliding down the wall, looking deafened.

No more words exchanged between the two. Both their minds occupied by the person currently impossible to reach. Going into that office would be a suicidal, but staying outside of it was killing them too.

Were they actually that attached to her already..?

~★~

Hours passed, twins stayed close to their Boss's office, waiting for either the man or the girl to walk out, so that they could ask if she's okay. Eventually they settled on the couch in one of the living rooms, one which was the closest to the office, leaving the door open to make sure that they won't miss any sound coming from the corridor.

Eventually they waited for about 10 hours already, not planning to move until they will hear the news about their soulmate's (as they started calling her not that long ago, after pulling a success prank on Sylus together) well-being. Eventually they fell asleep on the couch out of exhaustion and stress.

Meanwhile inside of the Sylus's office someone finally woke up.

"Finally back to the world of living, sweetie?" Sylus looked up from the papers sprayed on his desk to look at the girl moving on his couch.

"How long was I out?" sitting up, her hands went towards her head, her eyes closed.

"Couple of hours, there's water on the table before you." his eyes came back to the papers.

The girl slowly reached her hand towards the glass with water, luckily Sylus didn't fill it up to the top or else she would spill it because of her hand shaking. She put the glass to her mouth, drinking without any rush.

"I told you many times not to use your evol like this." standing up from behind his desk he made his way towards the teenager "You know that glitching in between the worlds can be extremely dangerous for you, yet you still took the risk for no valid reason."

"I can't just sit back and watch him hurt them, I had to do something, you're taking too long." her eyes shoot up towards the man, sending him sharp glare.

"I have my reasons for stalling. Why can't you just trust me with this?"

"Because I see myself in those girls!" her raised voice shocked even him this time "Every time I see his nasty dreams I'm reminded about those assholes who made me watch myself in that situation. He will hurt them Sylus, every day of you waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike is another little girl's childhood taken away!" her voice breaking, shacking of her body and tears in her eyes made Sylus feel too many things that he would have wish not to acknowledge.

He never wanted to get attached to that girl, he was fine on his own, but every day with her following him around like a shadow made him so used to her presence that he couldn't imagine something or someone taking her away from him right now. He hated himself for having a weak spot.

"Sweetie I promise you that no harm will come to those girls, I have Mephisto watching them all the time, they are scared yes, but no one touches them I promise. They will be safe in 3 days, give me that much time, please." he crouched down next to her, holding one of her hands in his and making her look at him, the eye contact being able to keep her grounded. He knew that she could lose her grip on the reality if he didn't act the right way.

The memories started flowing back to him at once. The trauma this girl had to go through making him want to kill anyone who dared to even think about harming her. Taking a child to become an experiment is a cruelty that even he, being the 'worst' person in the N109 Zone, wouldn't dare to commit.

He remembered that one night from two years ago. He was walking towards the room in his mansion that he was sure had the book he needed for his research. It was the room hidden deep inside of the right wing, when he finally got to it and opened the door he saw that young girl sitting on the floor with her legs under her, the room was cold and she didn't wear enough clothes to feel warm, but she didn't seem effected by the cold, she was just sitting there and looking at the moon behind the window.

"What are you doing here?" she didn't even react to his voice, didn't look at him, didn't let out any sound like she did most of the time, signaling to him that she listened.

He slowly walked towards her, crouched down beside her, looking at her and then at the sky of the N109 Zone.

They spent a couple of minutes in complete silence, staring as the clouds move slowly with time.

"Why do people need to know and understand everything?" her quiet voice brought his attention to her again, his head turning towards her direction, her eyes already focused on him.

"Because they are afraid of the unknown." his tone was soft, he warmed up to the girl over the time he spent with her, even if he didn't want to admit it.

The girl just recently turned 14. He got some informations about her from the database of EVER studies and the rest he knew just by simply asking her, she was surprisingly truthful all the time, not hiding anything from him.

"Can I show you something?" her eyes still locked on his, their eye contact making him feel like he talked to his equal and not just some teenage girl that he randomly stumbled across.

"Of course." was his only response. Her hands made their way towards his face, slowly covering his eyes. He didn't protest, she didn't have any reason to hurt him, and it's not like she would succeed in it anyways.

The darkness he saw with his eyes covered suddenly started changing into shapes and colors. He saw a little girl together with her at least three people, much bigger than her, adults, in white coats. One was holding her down, making her sit down on the chair, while the other two stood before her with their notepads, talking to her, but their voices came out like a combination of random syllables.

Their faces were all blurry, he couldn't recognize any face other than the one of the little girl. Her eyes were full of fear, shining from the tears she was clearly holding back. No words left her, she didn't try to scream or fight the person holding her, she just silently sat there.

Suddenly he saw one of the people with notepads taking something out of their pocket, a syringe, and walking with it towards the little girl. Her eyes locked on the white wall before her, her gaze looking absent, like mentally she wasn't there.

Right after they injected whatever it was into her arm her head fell down, strength leaving her body, her eyes clenching shut and one single tear falling down her cheek before the image got completely blurred and the room changed. What he saw next made his blood boil.

The same little girl standing there, before a man with literally no face and another version of herself, she was watching as the man spoke to her other version and started touching her arms.

Not wanting to know what happened next Sylus took the hands of the girl away from his eyes and took a moment to let his gaze come back to reality. His eyes turned to the teenager, a silent question in his gaze.

"They made me watch someone's dreams. I don't know how, but whatever they injected into me activated my evol, fighting it was painful." he swallowed his split in a try to control his anger, his jaw clenching "I tried to stop him, but when I touched him I felt pain like nothing I've ever felt. I shut my eyes close while laying on the floor but had to hear all the things he spoke to my other version. After it was all done and I woke up I heard someone speak about the 'emotional reactions influencing the power of the evol' but then I blacked out again. It was the day that I knew I had to run away, before they would get to test that in a reality." her eyes were glossy and a single tear ran down just like in the memory he saw a moment ago.

His thumb went up to her face to wipe it off, she let him without as much as a flinch. No more words were exchanged between them. He moved to sit down fully on the floor and her head instantly fell to his shoulder. They sat there for a while, being the comfort the other needed in this cruel world. He heard her breathing slowing down, probably falling asleep, he let her.

"I promise that no one else will hurt you."

"Promise me." her quiet voice brought him back to reality. Looking at her now he didn't see the fearless and mischievous teenager she became. He saw that little girl from the past, crying herself to sleep in a lonely room, holding herself to feel any kind of warm.

She didn't need to say anything else, he already understood.

"I promise." that no one will touch them.

A lonely tear fell from her eye with a blink, making it's way down her face like a raindrop falling on the window during a storm. His memory came back for a second before leaving again. He reached out, his palm gently taking a hold of her face, his thumb catching the single proof of her sadness. For a moment her eyes closed, enjoying the warmth of another human being after knowing only coldness her entire life.

Suddenly the sound of a pained cry left her and before Sylus could react she threw her arms around him and her mouth let out a song of cries and pain she was hiding inside for too long.

He gently reciprocated her hug, one of his hands taking it's place on her head, slowly stroking it in a calming motion, letting her drown her sorrows into his shoulder, hiding her from the brutality of the world.

He wished that he found her sooner and gave her the life she deserved to have from the start, without anyone taking away her innocence. She became his guiding star, always being there to remind him that life is not just an endless cycle of pain and evil. He didn't know why she followed him that day, but he was thankful for it nonetheless.

The next couple of minutes were spent with him shielding her from reality. They didn't know exactly how much time had passed, maybe ten minutes, maybe half an hour, maybe more. It didn't matter.

In his fatherly-like embrace she finally found the safety she was looking for her entire life. She was forced to fight for herself for so long, stealing and sleeping in abandoned buildings was her every day life ever since she run away from the place of her torture. That was, until she met him, her visions encouraging her to take the risk and trust him, and she did. She didn't regret it even for once ever since.

"I'm sorry..." her voice, quiet and weak, reached his ears. Her cries calmed down a while ago, but they still didn't let go of each other.

"You have no reason to apologize for feeling." his tone calm, with foreign gentleness to it. She was his little girl, the very one that he swore to protect. She was his remainder that he wasn't an emotionless monster, she made him feel human.

After a couple more minutes they finally pulled themselves away, her face red from crying, his expression still showing concern. The reason behind her outburst of emotions forgotten behind, her trust in his words enough to calm her down.

Sylus finally stood up from the floor and sat down next to her on the couch. Her head falling onto his shoulder, her head trying to organize her thoughts and leave the depressive episodes behind. His voice interrupts her tornado of thoughts.

"You've grown close to them." she let out a sound of curiosity, her head turning to look at him, but his eyes were focused on something before him "The twins." there was a moment of silence after that statement, her head coming back to rest on his shoulder once again and her eyes focusing on the painting on the wall before her.

"I did." left her mouth, he didn't react in any way, but she knew he heard her. There was no point in avoiding the truth, he already knew about it, he just wanted to hear her say it.

"It's foolish." she let out a quiet humorless laugh, she knew.

"So was following you like a stray cat on the street looking for a shelter, but look at us now." she smiled, her gaze returning to his side-profile. A sound like a second long laugh left his mouth, she had a point.

"I hope that you know what you're doing." they smiled at each other and laughed "But still if they will hurt you in any way, I will make them pay." the sudden serious expression on him took her aback.

"Oh you are really like my father!" she laughed again and hit him playfully in the shoulder, he simply smiled at her once again, his eyes hiding the warm inside reserved only for the person before him. He would let the world burn for this girl.

~★~

Half an hour later from the depths of Sylus' office finally walked out the center of twins worries. However Luke and Kieran didn't even flinch at the sound of someone's footsteps, deep in their dreams.

The girl appeared in the doorway, with a playful smile on her lips when she saw them. For a moment she thought about pulling up a prank on them, but decided against it. They were probably waiting for her, she knew that they saw her fainting earlier, they were probably worried as hell, so today they earned their free pass for a peaceful sleep.

A spark showed itself in her eyes. They were dreaming, she could feel it. People who were close to her got them more often than a regular person, side effect of her evol.

She got lost in her head for a minute. Was it safe for her to use her evol when a couple of hours ago it had a malfunction? Well if she'll do it correctly then probably it will be fine.

Slowly, making sure to stay as quiet as a cat, she made her way towards the couch occupied by the duo. Standing one step before them she took a good look at them.

Luke slept on his stomach with one of his hands dangling from the couch almost touching the carpet, while the other one found it's place under his head, they still had their masks on, but they got a little misplaced, showing more skin that they are supposed to, his feet placed up on the armrest of the couch.

Then there was Kieran, who fell asleep asleep on his back with his legs thrown over the armrest from the other side of the couch. One of his hands sneaked it's way to the backrest (was it even comfortable?) while the second was lying on his tummy. The hood slipped from his head, showing off his dark raven hair.

Their heads were lying close to each other, leaving some space in between them.

She let out a quiet giggle, they were adorable. Slowly, as to not disturb them, she sat down in the free space and gently touched both of their foreheads, her eyes lighting up, full on glowing this time, when her evol started to work.

Before her eyes flooded the picture of their dream. One dream for both of them? Were they connected to each other that much?

The picture becomes much more clear with every second until she is finally able to see and hear them perfectly well.

They sat on the rooftop, instead of their usual uniforms they wore all black clothes. Their dark middle length hair perfectly visible even in the darkness of the night.

"Do you think we'll make it?" she heard Kieran's voice. It didn't carry the mischievous hint to it which made her concerned about the specifics of that dream.

"Who cares? What matters is that we are finally free and playing by our rules." Luke's voice, even tho playful, still sounded more serious than normal "If we go down, then at least we'll do it together."

"I guess you're right." the younger of the twins let out a breath and looked up to the sky.

In the meantime, the person spying on their dream started to fall asleep herself. She didn't even notice how the dream started to feel more real with every second, it all came to her so naturally, as if she was meant to be there.

She started to feel the cold wind on her face, it started to play with her hair and the fabric of her clothes. She looked at the twins, who stayed clueless to her presence in their dream. Did they even know it was a dream? She couldn't tell.

However in the real world the twins sleeping forms feeling the closeness of her body started to slowly move towards her. Kieran's head found it's place on the girl's tights treating it like the softest of all pillows, while his brother's hand that wasn't busy under his head hugged the girl's legs.

The girl herself, now joining them in their nap, rested her hands on Kieran's chest and Luke's head, the closeness coming to them naturally.

Her silhouette in the dream started getting closer to the boys, who were still sitting on the edge of the rooftop with their backs facing her.

"You will make it." her soft voice breaking through the sounds of the wind in their ears, both sets of eye glancing towards her, shocked but somehow not at all surprised that she's there "I'll help you." she crouched down to be on their eye level and looked at both of their faces taking in the details.

Kieran lacked his scars, his face being a perfect mirror to Luke's, but she could still tell who was who. Older of the twins had this mischievous sparkle in his eyes all the time, while his twin's eyes looked softer and less playful, but still could match his brother's mischievousness most of the time.

They looked at her as if they were bewitched. It seemed that the memories from the precious events in the awakened world flooded back to their minds.

"You're okay!" both of them screamed, their eyes wide open in shock, they moved fast, not even registering the moment when they pulled her into a bone-crushing hug.

The girl just laughed at their antics and threw her hands around them, accepting the affection.

"Someone was worried about me?" she whispered right under their ears. Her head resting on Luke's shoulder, but turned Kieran's way, her nose touching his neck.

None of them answered, they just hugged her tighter. Her legs resting on Kieran's now, her body leaning on Luke's.

They finally found their peace. Their embraces stayed unbroken for the rest of the dream.

Meanwhile...

Sylus finally left his office, in between the incident earlier and his work he didn't have time to eat anything, and now, finally deciding to make his way to the kitchen, he noticed an open door.

Well that was unusual, all the doors always stay closed. It was a sort of unspoken rule in his mansion at this point.

He peeked inside with the intention of closing it, but the sight inside of the room made him stop in his tracks.

His precious little girl was sleeping on the couch with the twins cuddled up to her.

His breathing stopped for a second, anger in his eyes perfectly visible.

Yes, he knew that they were close. Yes, he noticed how they tried to get physically close to her at any chance given. And yes - he knew that she had grown rather... Fond of them.

But still he couldn't say that he was pleased at the fact that they seem even closer now than the last time he saw them together.

To be honest he didn't even consider the idea of her growing up and... Getting a... Boyfriend? Especially somehow getting two?!

He needed a glass of whiskey. Preferably a whole bottle.

His hand found it's way to his forehead, his eyes clenching shut, he shouldn't care as much as he did. Shaking his head he finally got a hold of the door handle, glancing at them for the last time before finally closing the door.

~★~★~★~

2047, Middle of Summer.

Over those last months not much has happened, N109 Zone still rotten with crime, however the mysterious leader of Onychinus didn't show himself for some time now, rumors were spreading like diseases, but which one was right? No one knew. People used his absence to their advantages in various ways, almost forgetting about his existence.

Still, some people lucky (or not) to be working close to him were having the laugh of their lifes watching those rats try to reach the top. They let them have their moments of power, knowing that when the time comes, they will take it all back

In the quietness of Sylus's mansion three teenagers found themselves hidden from the rest of the world and having taken a break from their work, decided to have some movie night.

The coffee table in one of the living rooms with the biggest TV screen was full of snacks including popcorn, cookies, gummy bears, various drinks and some other things (basically anything they could find in the kitchen). Blankets and pillows were waiting for them to get comfy, some splashed around the floor too. While the twins were getting the last of the snacks (coming back with some chips and sodas while also carrying bags of sweets in their mouths) their favorite girl was picking up a cartoon to watch.

Twins didn't wear their uniforms, masks lying forgotten in what was now known as their official room. After those couple of months working for Sylus about two weeks ago he finally decided that it's easier to just have them there all the time (totally not because **someone** was pleading him to let them live there), together with the new place to live they also got some money to go and buy themselves stuff like new clothes.

Let's also add that the girl herself took them shopping, not trusting their fashion skills... But at least they got some fun-bonding time outside of the N109 Zone.

All three of them were wearing sweatpants and some random t-shirts, putting the last of the snacks into the free bowls, the twins sat down on the couch on each side of the girl. Taking blankets and pillows to put them where they seem fit. Kieran finally looked at the screen noticing the title of the movie Y/n choose.

"How To Train Your Dragon?" he read out loud, getting the attention of his brother.

"Never watched it."

Girl's eyes widen. She looked at the twins in pure shock.

"HOW?!" both boys looked at her and just stared at her not knowing what was so shocking "That movie is a classic!" she added, her expression still looking as if they have just told her that they are of royal blood or something.

"To be honest we never really had a TV growing up, the first time we watched something was like two months ago." Kieran explained, reaching for a bowl of popcorn to put it on his lap. The girl stayed quiet for a minute before her expression changed into one of understanding.

Not saying anything else she reached out to grab her favorite snack and finally started the movie.

All three sets of eyes focused on the screen, sometimes their attention leaving the TV to grab a snack or drink. The first movie went smoothly, with some random conversations here and there of course.

"That guy is a loser." Luke said with a mouth full of popcorn.

"Shut up!" Y/n thrown some popcorn at him which he didn't have time to dodge, but he managed to catch one in his mouth and shot up from his seat to high-five Kieran "Kids." the girl rolled her eyes, her eyes going to focus on the screen again.

Luke slowly slid from the couch onto the carpet below them, continuing to watch from there.

"I like those twins." Kieran said, his eyes not moving from the screen, the rest of the party just let out sounds of agreement.

"I swear that I can feel the awkwardness between him and the dragon from the screen."

"Real." Y/n and Kieran looked at each other, it was the first time they said something at the same time.

Unbothered Luke reached out for his glass to refill it with some soda.

"Wait, I'll get some ice." standing up, Y/n took two glasses and head to the shelves, boys eyes followed her instantly not saying a word.

She opened a cabinet and inside of it... Was a little freezer? What was it doing there?!

Twins stared in awe, the girl as if sensing their stares laughed a bit and without turning her head back to look at them answered their silent question:

"I like to have ice-cream nearby when watching sad movies, okay?" Luke and Kieran looked at each other and smiled for no reason, no words left them and their attention came back to the movie.

Soon enough she came back to them, giving one glass to Luke and keeping the other to herself.

"You forgot about someone?" Luke said grinning.

"I noticed that Kieran never gets ice for himself. Am I wrong?" she started pouring her drink unbothered, twins looked at each other as if communicating with their eyes, they were shocked.

Eventually they just silently returned to watching the movie

"Aww he's in love." Kieran's tone carried some kind of sarcasm to it.

"Imagine hitting on a girl with a dragon." his brother added with a laugh.

In a split of second both of them let out a sound of pain, she hit their heads.

"What was that for?" Luke asked, his head turning to send a glare at the girl.

The girl just rolled her eyes and shrugged.

"WHY CAN'T THEY LISTEN TO HIM?!" boys threw their hands up in anger, screaming at the movie.

"Cause some people are really dumb and close-minded." she said, with no emotion to her voice, Kieran joined his brother on the carpet, his back resting on the girl's legs, he reached for something on the table, his hair falling onto his eyes.

Before he had the chance to get them off he felt hands from behind gently gathering his hair and putting them in a small ponytail on the base of his neck. After it was done he felt a soft pat on his head. He peeked over his shoulder, the girl sent him a smile which he returned.

"Oh okay. Am I disturbing you two maybe? Should I leave you to your moment?" Luke's annoyed voice made them break their eye contact and look at him. His expression not hiding his irritation.

"What? You jealous?" left Kieran's mouth, which earned him a punch on the chest from his brother, making him fall completely on the floor, Luke followed him down starting a fight, which was obviously for fun.

The girl laughed at their antics. It's been going on for about a minute now, her laughter got louder while the boys continued their play-fight for her entertainment.

Suddenly when Kieran tried to overthrow Luke from himself his action pulled a blanket from the couch, making the girl fall with a panicked squeak.

Both boys instantly tried to catch her, which let them all to fall on the floor, her body landing on top of theirs, twins froze for a moment, everything went silent. They were ready to start apologizing when suddenly they heard her laughter and felt her shake.

A moment later Luke joined her with a giggle of his own, and soon enough Kieran couldn't help himself and did the same thing. All three of them were lying on the floor unable to control their breathing because of the laughter.

It took them solid five minutes to calm down, but instead of going back to sit on the couch they stayed on the carpet.

"Come here." she instructed Luke who wordlessly, but with a happy grin, followed her command, seating himself before her and taking some snacks from the table.

Her hands went to his hair, scooping them up in her hand and tying them up in the matching ponytail to Kieran's, using her extra hair tie. Right after she was done she moved towards the younger of brothers, gesturing him to turn around which he did, letting her fix his hairstyle who got messy after the play fight with his brother.

The next hour went peacefully, they started the second movie from the series. Twins kept asking questions and commenting on the plot and characters, not keeping their opinions to themselves and making Y/n laugh at their behavior.

During the watching all three of them snuggled up together, sitting shoulder to shoulder under a huge fluffy blanket.

When the third movie started playing the atmosphere in the room changed a bit. The boys seemed somehow more relaxed, Kieran's head fell to Y/n shoulder while Luke started to play with her hand, moving her fingers for his own fun.

"OMG HE'S IN LOVE!" Luke screamed, squeezing the girl's hand in both of his.

"Oh she's got the attitude." Kieran added after seeing the white dragon shoot flames at them.

"Don't they all..." the girl looked at the older of the twins with a silent dare in her eyes "I'll shut up!" breaking the intense eye contact to focus back on the movie he couldn't catch the playful hint in the girl's eyes that showed itself right after his words.

She sent a knowing look to Kieran, who simply smirked at her. Her free hand reached for his and a smile graced her lips, her forehead meeting his for a moment with a short giggle leaving her.

"Never thought I would be jealous of my own twin brother." they heard a huff from behind them but instead of turning their heads they just laughed and the girl threw her hands around Kieran to mess with his brother even more "Okay, now you're doing it on purpose!" was the only thing they heard before a set of hands caught her waist and pulled her towards the other boy.

Her back resting against him, still shaking with laughter, she couldn't see the 'intimidating' stare Luke sent to his brother, which only affected in Kieran's louder laughter.

Soon enough they calmed down, going back to watching the movie. Luke held her in his arms and didn't let go so she just got comfy against him, not caring one bit, Kieran also didn't look like it bothered him.

"That guy is such a loser, will he actually pull her?" escaped Luke's mouth after seeing Toothless little dance to impress his crush. He felt popcorn getting forced into his mouth to shut him up, which he accepted without a fuss.

"He's doing his best, if a guy would try so hard to impress me I would be delighted." was the answer he got in response.

"So you want a loser for a boyfriend? Your 'dad' would eat him alive." Kieran grinned and turned to look at her.

"Oh please my 'dad' wouldn't dare to hurt someone just because they like me." she said, but after a second added a quiet "I think..." and her gaze turned out to be a little uncertain.

"Well, one thing I know for sure: getting onto the Boss' black list to date you is worth it." she heard Luke whisper into her ear, hugging her a little tighter. She let out a quiet laugh but nothing else escaped her mouth.

About twenty minutes later the girl left the embrace to stretch her back and take something to drink from the table.

Silence followed, the most heartbreaking moment of the movie started playing soon after, the twins watched in anticipation, but right when they saw dragons leaving for their Hidden World they suddenly heard a quiet sob.

Both of them turned towards the girl, who tried to keep tears from falling.

"What?! It's sad okay..." she said with a snark, wiping her eyes with her palms. Boys smiled slightly at her cuteness.

"Aww it's okay, you can cry as much as you want here." Kieran said, putting his hand on her shoulder, tugging her towards his body. Instantly she melted into him, hiding her face in his neck.

"You saw countless people die on the job. But some... Movie for little kids is the cause of your tears? Luke snarked a comment, not meaning to be rude in the slightness, but still earned himself a middle finger from the girl who had yet to pull herself away from his brother. With a quiet laugh his gaze turned back to the TV.

Second layer the girl peeked at Kieran's face, not leaving his embrace yet. His eyes turned to look at her, their eye contact felt weird. Not the bad kind but, for some reason, they seemed unable to pull away from each other. For a moment he thought that she activated her evol, but the shining in her eyes was simply from the tears hiding in them just a moment ago.

She examined his face, the scars left by Sylus perfectly visible. She touched his cheek, her thumb softly caressing his face, his scar. None of them thought about what they were doing, they didn't even seem to notice the fact that their faces were brought closer to each other.

That was, until their lips touched. No moving, no breathing, their hearts beating so fast that they could feel it in their heads. Their eyes closed, the gentle kiss lasted for a while, with no rush, eventually they pulled their lips away from each other, but their foreheads touched instead. Her palm didn't leave his face, staying there while both of them tried to calm their breathing and hearts down.

Suddenly she felt a gentle touch on the back of her head, her eyes opened and turned towards Luke, who looked at her with a playful spark hidden in his gaze.

"Is it mine turn now?" his whisper touched her ear like the most precious secret, his movement didn't hesitate, he turned her head gently towards him and made their lips touch. Her palm still lingered on Kieran's face who now looked at them, studying their actions.

Luke's kiss was more intense than the one of his twin, his lips moving slowly but eager against her, making her lose her breath again. The burning feelings inside of him finally coming to life. He broke the kiss after some time, pulling away while still keeping his hand on her head.

She felt Kieran's head come to rest against the side of her own. Her eyes gazed at Luke, who looked like he just won his life.

She felt safe, seen and heard.

A thought lingered in her mind:

Is this what love feels like?

She sent the older of the twins a slight smile of her own, nuzzling against Kieran once again, while also pulling Luke towards herself. He obeyed without a protest, his head falling onto her shoulder.

Meanwhile in the background the movie was coming to an end, a wedding and the reunion of two new families was not enough to keep them away from their own moment.

Everything seemed to fall into it's rightful place.

~★~★~★~

2048, Early Autumn.

A year went by... To say that Sylus was not really happy about the blossoming relationship between his little girl and his employees would be an understanding.

For a couple of first months he gave the twins more time-consuming tasks just because he saw them getting too close to her. He wasn't blind, he knew that they cared for each other and his precious daughter-like person was happy with them.

But in his eyes: no one would ever be enough for her.

When he saw them kissing her cheeks while making food in the kitchen he made them leave the base for two weeks under the pretext that they needed to keep a close eye on one of his business partners.

And to be honest they learned nothing from this 'lesson', still acting clingy whenever she was near, competing for her attention all the time.

Sylus was so over it, but he couldn't do anything, since his little girl wouldn't forgive him if something bad would happen to them by his own doing.

So he just suffered in silence, sending death stares to them any time they dared to stand too close to her for his liking.

Today they finally got the intel about the Aether Protocore, mission was set, the woman in possession of it will soon show herself, he was sure of it.

Meanwhile twins already left the mansion, they needed to get to the area faster and wait for a signal to act.

While him and Y/n still waited in the mansion, currently sitting in the dining room, a red orb found it's place in Sylus's palm, his hands playing with it like with a coin.

Inside of it bloomed red flower, stained with blood, yellow sky around it sent warm light in it's direction, but instead of basking in it, the flower looked sad, depressed and caged.

The glass orb around it appeared broken, as if someone stabbed something sharp into it. Countless small cracks showing themselves around the pierced place. It's a surprise that the glass didn't shattered completely.

"Get ready, we are leaving soon." hiding the object in his pocket, he stood up, not waiting for the girl to follow him, he knew that she would be exactly where he needed her anyways.

~★~

Watching someone get killed by Sylus' power was interesting every time. They always looked so pathetic and weak in the claws of his evol.

But this time instead of focusing on the poor guy hanging in the air she studied the woman kneeling on the ground. She kept a safe distance, not even able to hear what the twins were saying, but she could imagine their comments already.

Sylus arrived, Mephisto who until now was seated on the teenage girl shoulder cawed and flew to his owner.

Twins kneeled before Sylus who appeared before them now, keeping up their acts.

"Take out the vermin that're still running amok." the girl slowly walked out from her hiding spot, getting a little closer to the spectacle. The woman who found herself in their presence looked up at her confused, but didn't comment about anything.

She stopped a couple meters behind the twins.

"Yes, sir!" she heard them say and watched them stand up to head in her direction.

Without any hesitation she turned around and started walking away, her boys following behind, leaving Sylus with his new prey behind.

"Finally some fun for us!" Luke spoke with excitement, catching up to her and throwing his arm around her shoulder.

"Let's hope that the rats will at least try to fight back or run. I missed that thrill." Kieran said with a hint of mockery in his voice. The girl just smiled at their attics, she couldn't wait to see them in action once more.

~★~

"She won't be sleeping forever, right? She's been unconscious for one day. We need to wake her up." was the first thing the woman heard after waking up.

"Easy, just open up the back of her head. Drill a hole in her neck and..." her eyes darted open, her vision fozy.

"You two-" she sat up.

"You're seeing things. I'm the only one here. There is no 'two'".

"Then who's that?"

"My soul can leave... my body..." the man before her clearly tried to scare her.

"Stop it. She went through a lot, leave your jokes for later." her eyes turned to the other side of the room, a silhouette of a girl playing with a knife perfectly visible "Sorry for those kids." women caught eye contact.

The eyes of that girl were mesmerizing. Something deep hidden inside of them, for whatever reason, the woman at the mercy of the strangers felt safe now, she didn't know why, but there was a feeling inside of her screaming to trust her.

"Are you stunned? Shocked? Boooring." the voice of the man standing in the shadow of the room got her attention, her head snapping to look at him.

"Ahem... Hi, MC. Before you left Boss's parlor..." so they knew her name... "Well, we already met. Four days ago to be exact." four days... She was unconscious for that long?

"We didn't just save you from that ungrateful traitor. We also brought you back to Onychinus's base." the guy further away added.

"...So you want me to thank you." she looked clearly giving up that she was thinking about something. The memories of previous days coming back to her.

"We will give you some more time to come back to your... Right state of mind. Come find us when you'll feel ready to." the girl said, putting the knife to it's destinated place on her thigh and leaving, the boys following short behind, waving at the woman.

However she wasn't sure if she'll even feel ready to face the reality, but she didn't have much choice.

~★~

"We know what you're thinking." she looked at Luke (who's name she got to know some time ago, together with the name of his brother, but she still didn't know who was the girl that she met, she didn't see her since their last encounter) "But after being hunted down in The Nest, do you know how many people are out there looking for you?" he sounded so sure of the fact that they've done her a favour.

"And if you escape, you'll only get lost in the chaos of this no-man's land." added Kieran.

"Wanderers will eat you up. They also won't leave behind any crumps. So..." she could tell who was the more dramatic twin.

"Stay here with our boss!" they said together, looking at her with expectations clearly visible without their masks on.

"Throw away all morality and compassion, and this place will be a paradise!" she kept quiet at the Kieran's comment, knowing very well that N109 Zone is not a place for her.

"By the way, who's older? You two are basically identical twins." she decided to change the topic of their conversation.

"Take a guess." Luke said, clearly curious about something.

"Could you come closer so I can get a better look?" she tried to act genue. He fell for the bait, coming closer, she pulled a laser pointer and held it against his neck.

"Hey..! What are you doing?" his eyes widening in shock.

"Have you heard of the XT-7, the Hunters Association's latest weapon?" confused but happy about the fact that they didn't search her body, she decided to use it to her advantage "It's high-powered laser that can penetrate your skin and vaporise your blood. The good news is that it's quick and painless. The bad news is that you'll be losing a lot of blood from your neck. Are you squeamish?" Luke remained unmoving at her explanation.

Kieran fell silent for a moment, before pressing the door handle and moving aside. To her surprise, the door opened just like that.

"Why are you staring at me? Did I say you weren't allowed to leave?" he said with an obvious sarcasm to his voice.

She didn't answer. Standing up she kept the 'weapon' to Luke's neck, gesturing with her head to go with her out of this room.

When passing the door she looked at Kieran who didn't really seem bothered. He followed behind them to the corridor.

"Okay, just go straight down the hall and you'll see the exit." she let go of Luke, he rubbed his neck and headed over to his brother's side.

"Do you want it? Here." the woman said, noticing his curious eyes following the object. He reached out for it, surprised.

"Really? That's very nice of you to just give away a hunter's secret weapon." he said with excitement.

"It's a laser pointer." she stated casually, her eyes giving up the fun she had from this situation.

"You..." she smiled playfully at him noticing his slight anger at the fact he got played with.

"Did I ever say that it was the XT-7?" she turned around, leaving the boys behind with every taken step.

She heard them whisper behind her, but ignored them completely, she kept going forward.

She took in her surroundings, the dark corridor she was in not saying much about where she was. But she noticed that this place seemed rather abandoned.

She saw a black bird before her, sitting on a marble pillar. A crow? It's eyes looking like made out of rubies.

The bird turned his neck into the woman's direction. It was alive?! Suddenly he flew towards her, missing her head he landed on something... Or rather someone behind her.

Turning around she saw the mysterious girl she saw only two times here.

"It's you." MC's voice quiet. She looked as the girl lovingly stroked the crow's sharp feathers, it's head trying to snuggle up to her palm.

"Sorry for startling you. It was not my intention, I was merely passing by." her eyes left the crow to look at the woman before her "Are you leaving?"

"I... Kinda..." she tried to take the details of the girl before her, also trying to catch where she hid her weapons.

"Kinda?" her giggle broke her from the thoughts "So you don't know yourself what to do? I thought that you would have it all planned out by now." it was clear that she was relaxed, as if knowing that the woman won't try to harm her in any way.

"I'm still figuring out everything..." she hated the fact that her voice gave away her uncertainty.

"Take your time, there's no rush." the girl said calmly, her eyes coming back to the pet on her shoulder who now snuggled up to her neck "Oh also... Thanks for what you did with Luke, I heard the commotion from the other room and overhead a little of it, sometimes it's good to put them into their place." she laughed, the woman couldn't help but crack a smile.

"My pleasure." MC said, for whatever reason more relaxed now. She didn't know that girl at all, she made up her mind about the twins and their Boss, but her? It was a completely different story for some unknown, even to her, reason "Do you... work with them?"

"Work with them? Hm... I guess you could say that." their eyes meet for the last time, before the girl gestured for the crow to fly away, it disappeared behind a narrow gap in the opened door next to them. The girl turned around, going in the direction where MC left the twins.

"Hey! Wait up!" she screamed after her, but got no response, she planned to run after her but the melodious classical music from behind the door caught her attention, and before her eyes came back to the place where she saw the girl going, there was no one left in the corridor but herself.

~★~

Whispers and quiet laughter that the twins shared when entering the kitchen brought the attention of the girl drawing something in her sketchbook while sitting on the countertop from the other side of the room, boys not noticing her started their hunt for snacks, taking off their masks and still laughing about something.

"What are you two up to this time?" both of them jumped at the voice of their girlfriend. The shock in their eyes stayed there for a couple of seconds before they get themself together.

"Us?" Luke leaned against the countertop on his elbow.

"Up to something?" Kieran looked at her from behind his brother with a slight smirk.

"Nooo."

"Never."

"Baby you hurt us." the older of the twins theatrically put a hand over his heart and took a 'pained' expression.

"With those accusations." Kieran put his hand on his brother's shoulder as if to comfort him after such harsh words were thrown their way.

The girl looked at them, lifting her eyebrows and sending them the 'really?' disappointed glare.

"Are you gonna tell me? Or should I go and find out myself." her sketch long forgotten now as she left it on the counter while standing up from her previous sitting place and walking a couple steps towards her lover boys.

"Well if you really want to know..." Kieran went around his brother, closer to the girl while leaning down a little bit to stand on her eye level.

"We decided to make a good deed today." Luke said, the eyes of the girl sneaked a peek at him and came back to gaze into the eyes of the man standing right before her.

"And help Miss Hunter to fulfill her mission." the mischievous spark in Kieran's eyes wasn't missed by the attention of the girl looking at him like she could read his mind and feelings.

Her lips turned into a playful smile and a second later the sound of her laugh reached the ears of the men in the room with her, making both of them smile at her attics.

"You two are evil. Playing tricks on the poor girl." she said with no real disappointment behind her words. She knew that nothing would happen to that woman, Sylus wouldn't hurt her in any way. "Now, who wants some cookies." her arms went around Kieran's neck, giving him a kiss on the cheek, her eyes turning to his brother right behind him.

"Us!" both of them screamed with excitement. Luke ran up to them, stealing the girl from his twin's arms and holding her up started spinning with her in his arms.

The dark furniture of the kitchen didn't exactly match the child-like joy and laughter inside of the room, but it didn't make the moment any less cheerful and happy.

Wherever this trio found themselves in always felt cozy and full of joy. The demons of the past getting forgotten and instead the new found memories getting their place inside of their hearts, making their lives a little more bearable with each and every new one.

~★~

Staring at the brooch in her palms she froze for a minute. Finally, after so many fails that hurt her ego she was able to get it, it didn't matter that the only reason why it worked out was for the fact that Sylus decided to play her little game.

She was already sitting in the red dress, her hair wasn't put up yet, and some parts of her outfit like jewelry and gloves had yet to find themself on her. With a short exhale she put the brooch down onto the table before her.

Her eyes shut closed and her palms started massaging her scalp. Million thoughts were running through her mind. What if something were to go wrong? Is Sylus a danger to her? Will he leave her on her own if something goes not according to plan? Is there even a plan? Will he-

"You know, your thoughts are so loud for someone who came here with a strict goal in mind. Having second thoughts?" a female voice broke her out of her mind, in the mirror before her she met the eyes of the young girl whose name she still didn't know "You know - it's never too late to back out." the slight smirk adoring her face didn't miss the hunter's gaze.

"I won't back out. This all is just... A lot." her eyes fell from the girl back to her own reflection, picking up a brush she started taking care of her hair. However with the nerves from a couple of last days finally getting to her after staying closed inside of her for too long, even the simplest task seems too hard to focus on right now.

While trying and failing to catch her hair together once more she suddenly felt gentle hands caressing them and bringing them together. Looking up she saw the girl now standing right behind her. Did she fail to hear the footsteps coming closer to her?

"The auction will start soon, you won't get ready in time with your shaky hands." pulling MC' hair up, forming a ponytail she reached out her hand "A brush please." without any complaints MC put the item into her open palm, and a second later the girl came back to her task.

"Can I ask for your name?" the teenager made a sound, as if enjoying the knowledge that the information about her still wasn't known to the woman.

"Twins didn't expose it to you yet? Hah, so they can keep information to themselves if they want to." their eyes meet for a split second in the mirror before breaking the eye contact again.

"No, when I asked about you all that I got in response was them calling you their 'dreamy girl'." at this sentence the girl behind her laughed.

"It does sound like them, yeah." her expression turned into something soft, as if thinking about something that made her happy "My name is Y/n." once again she raised her gaze to look into the eyes of the woman. She put her hands onto her shoulder, the hairstyle she was working on was finally done.

MC tested her name on her mouth in a quiet whisper.

"What are we thinking." the younger girl took a hand mirror from the table, making it reflect the hairstyle from behind so that the woman could see it in the mirror. It was a simple but elegant bun with a couple strands of her hair lying free around the area of her face, making a makeshift bangs.

"It looks great, thank you." she sent a soft smile towards the girl which she reciprocated. She saw her reaching for something on the table again.

"Let me help you put it on." holding a necklace in her hands she got ready to clasp it around MC's neck.

The next couple of minutes were spent with shared laughter in between them and some small talk. The girl made sure not to share many things about herself, Sylus or the twins but somehow still found topics to talk about, like sharing some little facts about the people who will attend the same auction as her.

For the first time in the last couple of days, the hunter finally found herself relaxing, and her mind wasn't full of second thoughts and doubts.

~★~

Sylus calmly guides MC across the dance floor, swaying to the song's rhythm.

Blocking the prying shadows around them he tried to make the woman focus on him, but for a quick moment her eyes caught a glimpse of someone who brought her attention to themselves.

Continuing their dance she tried to look at the mysterious stranger behind Sylus's shoulder.

It was a woman, in a black perfectly fitting dress, corset tied tight on her body, with a lot of chains adoring her, from her neck down to her corset and gloves, working as her jewellery.

What made MC, and probably every person here, wonder, was the black veil which hid her hair and face from the curious eyes of the outlookers.

Her stance was elegant, not moving an inch from her spot she resembled a statue, meant to be adored from afar.

Suddenly Sylus spun her around, making her lose sight of her target, she looked at him with annoyance, not expecting any explanation, but a short chuckle left the man, before words started flowing from his mouth.

"So, kitten finally noticed another crow in the room with us? Took you long enough." her eyes widened at the realization, but Sylus didn't leave her any room for questions, and continued their dance, making her focus not to stumble on her feet.

~★~

The explosion left people panicking, the whole hall reduced to a rubble.

Wanderers appeared from left and right, but before MC had a chance to shoot, someone else already took care of them.

Looking around she noticed the figure in the black dress, which fabric now appeared shorter and more comfortable to move around in.

Young girl calmly moved towards them, her steps more graceful than her usual movements. The clicking of her high shoes echoes from the ground, following her steps, MC took a note in her mind to ask her for a walking session later on, it may come useful.

"Leave, you did your part, go to your lover boys sweetie." Sylus' commanding voice spoke, the hint of displeasure obvious at the words 'lover boys'.

The moment of realization struck MC like lightning - that's who they were! She dated the twins! It all made sense now, how could she not notice before?

The girl only let out a quiet laugh, and reached out her hand towards MC.

Opening up her palm she showed her the gun she was holding, uncertain but without much choice the woman picked it up.

"Good luck." with those words Y/n walked around them, heading towards the exit of the hall.

"She looks stunning." a whisper full of fascination left MC, followed by a sound of approval from Sylus' mouth.

Without more comments about the girl, their thoughts came back to the present time and the mission at their hands.

~★~

In the meantime...

"That explosion was mid at best." Luke's voice gave away his disappointment.

"Could be better, but Boss was probably worried about Miss Hunter getting scared or hurt." Kieran kicked the stone under his legs, bored, they were waiting for their girlfriend to come to them for an hour now.

"Where is sheee, I didn't see her all day!" Luke lay down on the stairs leading to the entrance of the abandoned building which localisation was about five to ten minutes away from the auction place.

Putting a hand on top of his heart he tried his best to appear as if dying.

"Hey, I didn't see her either, you're not the only one in emotional pain right now." Kieran scoffed at his brother's attics, crossing his arms.

Suddenly he felt a cold rush of air hitting his back. Before he had a chance to turn around someone's arms came to embrace him around the torso.

"Okay, not fair! I'm dying from longing here, and you decide to give attention to my brother first? The double betrayal!" not giving a single damn about his brother's screams in the background Kieran turned around and hugged the girl back, conscious about his mask.

He picked her up, making her feet linger a little above the ground, which succeeded in making her giggle.

"Okay but damn girl, that outfit? How could you not show it to us before going out!" hearing his brother point out her clothing choice, Kieran put her back down and his gaze explored her whole body before he straightened up.

"Damn how did we pull you?" his head dipped to the side, making him look like a bird observing it's prey.

"We somehow got the daughter of the most dangerous multimillionaire in the N109 Zone to ourselves, if not for the fact that our identities are supposed to stay secret, I would go to the rooftop of the highest building around here and scream it for everyone to hear." Luke finally stood up and walked closer to them.

"Getting onto the Boss's black list because of dating you was so worth it." Kieran high fived his brother, making the girl shake her head in disbelief.

"Can we go now? I want to have a photo session in the forest with that fit." she made a little spin to show off her dress.

"Oh so today we're playing photographers?" Kieran pointed out, trying not to let his excitement show.

"Got it Missy."

"You'll get the best photos you could dream of, princess." twins bowed their upper body jokingly, making the girl raise her chin high and take the most graceful pose she could think of.

"We wouldn't dare to disappoint you, your majesty." the girl finally broke the character of a serious rich woman and let out a laugh, at which both of the brothers grinned to themselves.

"Let's go, I want to make it home before the morning arrives." twins straighten up from their previous position and watch her walk away in the other direction they came from.

"Do you think that she will wear something similar at our wedding?" Luke heard his brother's voice in his head.

"Ple-ase; her wedding dress is gonna be so much more eye catching and gorgeous than this one." at this statement Kieran nodded his head in agreement.

"Our little fashion Queen." they looked at her bewitched, not even noticing the distance growing with every step she took.

"Are you coming or not? Someone needs to carry me once we get to the grass part. There's no way I'll ruin those sweet shoes." she broke them from their thoughts, and without turning back continued on her way.

Both of them gasped and exchanged glances, before breaking out into a run and trying to over scream the other one.

"It's gonna be me!"

~★~★~★~

2048, Late Autumn.

MC spends most of her time in Linkon but more often than not she finds herself in the luxurious mansion in the N109 Zone.

And more often than not; she isn't even going there to meet the white haired man who lives rent free in her mind (for various reasons) but to meet the three teenagers that she grow fond of.

Today she found herself in that mansion again, her and the troublemaker trio decided to make cookies, play kitty cards, and play Just Dance until midnight. Sylus was nowhere in sight, when asked about him, the 'kids' said that he won't be back until the next day, away for some business, not specifying anything more.

In the middle of the night they finally decided to end their activities and leave for their rooms, MC headed to one of the guest rooms that she stayed before, with a pajama borrowed from the younger girl.

Everything seemed peaceful, she was able to fall asleep fast, but the sleep itself wasn't as calm as her surroundings.

That vision again. Her staring at her own bloody palms, not being able to focus on anything else. Her hands felt as if not belonging to her, foreign and unfamiliar, the ringing in her ears made everything twice as dizzy and scary, her own heart beating so loud as if trying to break free, yearning for something outside of her own soul and body.

The tears leaving their eyes, meeting the red essence below her. Every breath she took felt like pain. She tried to raise her head, tried to see what was happening, what she had done, but the picture before her was blurry, something red and black blinked before her and then it was over.

Waking up with a heavy breath and all sweaty she shot up from her laying position, raised her hands and stared at them, they were shaking, her whole body was shaking, like in daze she continued to stare at them, trying to see any traces from the mortifying sight she saw in that dream.

It took her about ten minutes to pull herself together and stop shaking 'it was only a nightmare...' she thought, with her hands placed on her head she closed her eyes, gripping her hair tightly to make sure that this reality wasn't her mind's imagination.

Her eyes shoot open, taking in her surroundings, the dark room lit only by the red moon peeking through the window's curtains. Her throat felt more dried than ever, she let out a series of coughs but it only worsened it's condition.

For a moment her eyes fixed on the moon outside, and then with a sight she placed her feet on the cold floor, picking herself up from the bed, and making her way out of the suffocating room.

With slow and quiet steps she walked down the hallway, trying not to bump into things along the way, but when it happened she didn't even acknowledge the moment of pain.

Not even noticing when, she found herself in the kitchen, stopping in her tracks she harshly put her hands on the counter, trying to steady her breathing and not faint from the overwhelming she felt.

Her ears didn't pick up a sound, but her eyes gazed at the glass of water quietly placed before her. Slowly she moved her head to the side, through the darkness she was able to make out a silhouette of a woman.

Seemingly unbother by the state she just saw the hunter, young girl continued moving the pencil in her hand unrushed and steady. MC tried to look at the paper before her, but wasn't able to see any details of the sketch. Understanding that the girl wasn't going to speak or question anything the woman gaze returned to the glass before her.

Unsure, she picked it up, her grip weak even with two hands in use. Trying her best not to drop the glass she put it to her lips, the drinking proved to be a hard task at first, but slowly instead of the uncomfortable tightness in her throat she felt relief.

She didn't know whether the time was moving at the slow peace or rushing, both of them, her standing and the girl sitting at the high stool, stayed there in silence, the presence of the younger girl proving to be a much needed comfort right now.

"You know, dreams are a strange concept. Some are weird, some are scary, some are memories, some are sights sent to us by our own mind." hearing the soft voice of the teenager MC turned her head towards her, noticing her still focused on the drawing, but the strokes of the pencil now seemed more forceful and not gentle at all, as if trying to mess up her previous work "And then - there are the ones that leave us in a state when we don't know what's going on. It's... a weird feeling. Like you are lost there, with no way out, and then - when you wake up, you feel like this dream is *the reality*."

The girl's eyes finally left the sketch, meeting the curious eyes of the hunter. She saw a silent question there, silent pleading for explanation and answers. Ones that she couldn't get from her.

"But in the end, it's all in your head. You make your own truth there, you are the queen who rules there." her voice grew quieter with every word leaving her mouth. Her eyes shining like a fainting star in the sky. So beautiful and so fragile.

"It's hunting me. Why can't it go away." a whisper left the woman, her eyes closing, the cold empty glass brought to her forehead, as if trying to command herself to get a grip on herself.

"Maybe you still didn't understand what you're supposed to, from that vision. Maybe the answers you seek are hidden there." a hand touched MC's arm gently, calming her down together with the soothing voice "Go to sleep in the Sylus' room, he won't be mad, I promise that no more bad dreams will come to you tonight." after that she heard the chair moving and heard footsteps slowly heading towards the door.

"You don't just work for him, right?" the sound of movement stopped, for a moment she thought that the girl left, but finally she heard the voice from far behind her.

"No." a short answer. Not telling much about the situation between the two.

"Why?" the question leaving her mouth was so quiet that she didn't expect the girl to hear it. Yet, again after a moment of silence her voice broke through.

"He took me in. When I had nothing." the sadness in her voice was obvious, even without turning around the hunter could imagine the pained expression on her face "Without asking for anything in return he saved me, gracing me with everything I could only dream of having. You might see him as a cruel, ruthless man." her voice close to breaking "But he's not heartless. No matter how much of a monster he claims to be - he will never be one in my eyes. And I hope that with time, you'll acknowledge that too." with that she left, leaving more questions behind, but also comfort and hope.

She didn't want to acknowledge the fact that the Boss of Onychinus could be anything but cruel and horrible man, led only by his desire to rule and use people like pawns, making his way to the top through the corpses and blood. With a groan she opened her eyes, planning to go back to sleep.

Turning around something caught her attention. On the countertop lying was the sketchbook of the teenager, opened on the drawing she was working on a moment ago. Not able to resist her curiosity she took a peak inside.

What she saw made her pause with confusion.

A human heart with a gem stuck in it, around it - lines, looking like veins scattered everywhere. She noticed a note above it in the language she couldn't understand.

𝕾𝖎𝖆 𝕲𝖗𝖆'𝕶𝖚𝖑

For unknown reason her heartbeat speed increased, but not because of panic. She felt like something in her was missing, some piece of her gone. Her gaze fell to the bottom of the page.

𝕾𝖎𝖆 𝕯𝖗𝖆𝖚𝖘𝖍𝖚𝖒

Her eyes scanned every detail of the sketch, her heart throbbed inside of her, louder and louder.

She slammed the sketchbook closed. Her heart slowly calmed itself down. Leaving the cursed thing on the counter she left in a hurry, not wanting any more questions to linger in her mind.

That night she let herself find comfort under the sheets of the red eyed man's bed. Sleep came easy and no nightmare bothered her for the rest of her slumber.

She couldn't notice the glow of the orb sitting on the shelf, the red and gold strings running around inside of it, linking and breaking their bond every couple of seconds. Nor could she hear the pained voices whispering from inside of it.

𝓜𝔂 𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽

𝓜𝔂 𝓓𝓻𝓪𝓰𝓸𝓷

~★~

If anyone would say that the dangerous leader of Onychinus and a Linkon City hunter would act like an old married couple running after their children in the huge mansion belonging to the man, people would probably laugh at the audacity of that person to spread lies.

But it was currently happening...

"Luke leave Mephisto!" Sylus's commanding voice didn't scare his subordinate like most of the time, currently having too much fun to think about the consequences.

"Kieran catch!" he threw the mechanical bird towards his brother, Mephi stretched his wings to lend in his hands, playing with them.

"This bird probably costs more than all of our lives combinated! Give it back!" MC screamed while running towards the younger of the twins.

"Sorry Miss Hunter! We need him more now." Kieran shot up in the direction of the stairs, but half way there he was stopped by the mist wrapping around his body "Oh c'mon, not fair man!" now he was flying in the air, the crow still in his palm letting out a loud caw.

"Give the bird back." Sylus came into the Kieran's line of vision, but the twins weren't ready to give up just yet.

"Dreamy! Our hopes are in you!" with one hand he threw the bird to his side, towards the girl who had a lot of fun watching the little game of tag.

"Why me?!" she screamed, but caught the crow anyways, bringing him close to her chest, as if in a hug. All eyes in the room watched her, not moving, the room growing so quiet that the ticking of the clock on the wall could be heard.

A couple of the next seconds were spent staring at each other, awaiting the next move.

Suddenly the girl rushed to her left, in the direction of the corridor door.

"No!" MC shouted, running after her, while Sylus left Kieran to drop on the floor and calmly walked in the direction where the two women disappeared.

Luke rushed to his brother, helping him up with a laugh.

"Do you think she'll get it?"

"Of course. She runs fast, and Boss would never hurt his 'little girl'. It's all between her and Miss Hunter now." Kieran answered his brother with a groan, massaging his back that got hurt when he fell down.

Luke pulled his brother by his elbow, going in the direction of the corridor, which succeeded in more sounds of pain and complaints from his brother's mouth.

They walked for what seemed like eternity, until finally hearing the voices coming from one of the rooms. Both of them rushed there, as a result getting stuck in the door frame together for a second.

"I won!" the laugh that they both grew to love caught their attention, after which they heard a disappointed sound coming from the other woman in the room, and Sylus's short chuckle.

"You did it babe!" Luke ran to the girl, catching her in his arms, the crow still in her hold let out a caw, clearly annoyed at the boy's behavior, just like his owner who watched the show from the distance.

"We knew you'll get it!" from behind her came Kieran, both of them picking her up in a victory celebration, putting her onto their shoulder. The crow flew up to her shoulder, sitting there calmly.

Their joy was however short lived, because soon after their affection display a red mist caught the girl, gently bringing her back on the floor, while also pushing the twins away from her.

Mephi flew towards his owner now, whose expression didn't show the annoyance he felt inside. The teenage girl looked at him, raising her eyebrows at which he only shrugged acting like he didn't do anything.

"Okay you won, what is your wish then." MC's voice caught the attention of everyone, remembering what this game was about all along.

"I want... A self-care evening with face masks, various of not very healthy snacks, watching movies about sad love stories with a happy ending and online shopping with Sylus's card." the girl jumped up a bit and clapped her hands.

"... Okay I have no objections." the woman raised her hands in surrender and slowly walked up to the girl catching her hands and starting to jump with her in excitement.

"I call dibs on the dino mask!" Luke raised his hand high up, getting himself up from the floor he previously landed on, and ran out of the room, probably to get the stuff ready.

"Hey, no fair! You had that one last time asshole!" Kieran ran after him.

Sylus let out a sigh, his palm on his forehead in disbelief.

"Shopping!" the girls called in sync, before rushing in the direction of the door to catch up to the twins.

"What did I get myself into..." Mephisto cawed as if to mock the man "I know, I know, you don't have to remind me." white haired man turned his head towards the bird sending him a glare, and made his way towards the direction where he knew the chaos started to grow.

The evening went by fast, talks about any and everything, giggles, face masks and other beauty care products (even Mephisto wasn't spared, and sat there stuck with a small sheet mask made by twins), a lot of funny selfies, crying at the sad moments in the movies, at which twins hugged each other, girls each other, and Sylus and Mephisto only sent each other looks asking for help.

Eventually after a couple hours they finally began to feel exhausted. Slowly falling asleep one by one, leaving only Sylus awake.

He didn't really pay attention to them, focusing on the cheap movie on the screen, waiting for it to be over, when suddenly he felt a light weight on his arm, looking down on the place beside him he noticed MC asleep with her head dropping on his shoulder, her body so familiar and so strange beside him. The warm-cozy feeling inside of his chest was accompanied by the loud beating of his heart, his gaze softened and a soft smile graced his lips, an unusual sight.

Then he raised his eyes and looked at the other end of the huge couch, occupied by the three troublemakers. For a moment a grimace showed itself on his face, not really pleased with the sight, but the more he looked the more it disappeared.

His precious little girl was lying between the two boys, curled up with her legs close to her body. Her arms were thrown over Luke's shoulders and neck, her body leaning his way, with his head resting on top of hers, while Kieran hugged her body from behind, his arms around her waist, and his head snuggled to her shoulder.

Okay maybe... They weren't that bad. They took care of her, made her laugh, and protected her. Okay, yeah, no. No one was good enough for her. But at least they tried, and actually acted like they... Loved her.

He let out a quiet sigh, not wanting to overthink that. For as long as she's happy...

With that thought he let himself close his eyes, waiting for the sleep to take him. Unknown to any of them, Mephisto's eyes lighten up, taking a photo. The five of them in the most vulnerable state known to exist. Like a family enjoying their time together. Mephi flew up to rest on the couch backrest joining them in the moment.

Somehow all of the hearts in this room found the person they were looking for, and they weren't planning to let go of them, not now, not ever.

[elysiaheaven2]

𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 - 𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧 𝐱 𝐆.𝐍 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 (𝐅𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟)

Words: 11k (Late special for 80 Followers!)

Inspo from @roninroaming 's art! Tire change I love their art!

Genre: G.N Reader (Fluff)

Summary: Just a "accidental" sleepover with your man!

( Reader is a g.n!)

TW!

Violence and Gore – The narrative involves scenes from horror movies such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Saw, which feature extreme violence and graphic depictions of harm, along with mentions of blood and gore.

Blood and Body Horror – The repeated references to blood, gore, and horror elements like body mutilation could be disturbing to some readers.

It was after Christmas, after New Year’s. The festivities had passed, leaving behind the soft hum of fading holiday cheer.

You finally finished your fan tour. Yes, the book got famous—the main novel and even the side story. Your fans devoured it all, their enthusiasm feeding a whirlwind of success that left your head spinning. They loved every plot twist, every heart-wrenching moment, and every intricate detail you poured into those pages. So much so, they insisted on a meet-and-greet.

…It was annoying.

Two days of back-to-back fan events because your so-called “manager” couldn’t organize anything right. Two days of smiling until your cheeks hurt, answering the same questions in slightly different ways, and signing until your wrist threatened mutiny. Now, you understood Angel’s pain all too well. She had always hinted at the darker side of success, but this—this was a crash course.

It all started with Seabird Publishing House. They took a chance on your story, and suddenly, you were a name people knew. Directors now lined up at your doorstep, waving adaptation rights in your face. You were a rising star.

A dream come true.

Yet even as the dream unfolded, you realized something. Something better. Something irreplaceable.

Through it all, you found a family—unexpected, unconventional, but a family nonetheless—within a “serial killer server.”

Each one of them brought something unique to the table. Angel’s charm, so intoxicating and genuine, was a balm to anyone lucky enough to know her. V’s mysterious aura, with layers you’d only begun to peel back, kept you guessing and intrigued. Misaki’s chaos brought life to even the dullest moments, a spark that could ignite laughter from the most stoic among you.

Then there was Luca, with his unshakable sunniness that could brighten the darkest day. Felicie’s kindness wrapped around you like a warm blanket, offering quiet support when words failed. Vince, with his poetic admiration of sunsets, shared his thoughts in ways that painted beauty where others saw none. Ai Hua’s steady stream of thumbs-ups, simple yet somehow profound, reminded you that sometimes the smallest gestures carried the most weight.

And then there was Ronin.

Ronin with his edge, his intensity, his everything. He was chaos, danger, and something else entirely—something that had wormed its way into your chest and made a home there. You missed them all, but you missed him most.

Yes, you missed him.

The realization hit you harder than you wanted to admit. Three days had passed since you logged into the server. Three long, hectic days of meet-and-greets, interviews, and meetings. You hadn’t had a moment to breathe, let alone catch up with your found family. The ache of their absence crept into your thoughts, unbidden and relentless. But when you thought of him…

Well, it was a different ache entirely.

Ronin had opened up a little more this Christmas. Not much—he was still Ronin, after all. But enough for you to see past the sharp edges and into something softer, something vulnerable. He wasn’t the monster he pretended to be, and maybe… maybe he wasn’t as untouchable as you’d once believed.

New Year’s had been unforgettable. A shared kiss under the brilliance of fireworks, the colors dancing in the sky as your heart raced faster than you thought possible. His lips had been surprisingly gentle, a contrast to the man you thought you knew. The memory played on a loop in your mind, each replay accompanied by a flush of heat and a flutter in your chest.

Ugh.

It was embarrassing how much space he occupied in your thoughts. But that was Ronin. He had a way of getting under your skin, into your head, and staying there. And honestly? You didn’t hate it.

But you missed them. All of them. You missed the banter, the chaos, the comfort of knowing they were just a message away. Most of all, you missed him—his wit, his intensity, his presence.

You sighed as your car smoothly rolled into Purgatory, a small bag with your homemade apple crumble sitting on the passenger seat. As usual, it was for him. Ronin, with his sarcastic charm and maddening edginess, always looked forward to these visits—even if he’d never admit it outright.

The neighborhood was quiet, almost unnaturally perfect, the kind of perfection that made you feel like something ominous was lurking underneath. But at that moment, you didn’t care. You were in a love-struck haze, grinning like a fool as "Flawless" blasted through your speakers, your fingers tapping on the steering wheel.

It was cheesy. It was stupid. But you were so deep in your little love bubble that you almost forgot the chaos that usually surrounded your life. Thoughts of your server family danced in your head—Angel’s sweet encouragement, V’s dry humor, Misaki’s wild antics. You missed them so much! But if you were being honest, you missed him just a little bit more.

You were daydreaming about the next time you’d see Ronin when—BAM!

A loud POP jerked you out of your daydreams.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" you yelped as your car wobbled dangerously before grinding to a stop.

You pulled over, jumped out, and immediately spotted the culprit. One of your tires was flat—completely, irreparably flat.

“Ughhhhh!” you groaned, kicking the tire in frustration.

Big mistake.

“OW! OW, OW, OW!” you yelped, hopping on one foot as the pain shot up your leg. “Stupid car! Stupid tire! STUPID EVERYTHING!”

You slumped against the hood, blowing a strand of hair out of your face. You had planned to go home, log into the server, and finally catch up with everyone. But noooo, now you were stuck here, stranded in the middle of nowhere, your car practically mocking you with its uselessness.

"This is the worst," you muttered, glaring at the offending tire like it had personally betrayed you.

Groaning, you pulled out your phone, squinting at the screen as you searched for a nearby mechanic. Relief washed over you when you found one just a few miles away. Great. Just great. Now you had to limp your car there on a busted tire.

Sliding back into the driver’s seat, you let out a heavy sigh. "This day can’t get any worse," you muttered, though you immediately regretted saying it because fate loved a good challenge.

The car grumbled and groaned with every revolution of the wheels, the uneven thud-thud-thud of the flat tire making your teeth clench. "I swear," you grumbled under your breath, gripping the steering wheel, "if this thing breaks down before I get there, I’m setting it on fire. I don’t care if it’s the middle of suburbia."

You inched forward, exhaustion crept up on you. The fan tour, the meet-and-greet, the endless smiling and pretending—you were done. All you wanted was to get home, log into the server, and see the chaos unfold with your found family.

"Ugh, stop it," you mumbled to yourself, shaking your head. "Focus on the road, not… him."

But the weight of the day pressed down on you, and the monotonous sound of the broken tire didn’t help. You felt your eyes droop slightly. You were just so… tired.

You pulled up to the mechanic shed, the broken tire scraping and thumping like a cruel metronome against your patience. As the car sputtered to a halt, you slumped over the steering wheel, exhausted.

The lights in the shed were dim, and a "CLOSED" sign hung mockingly from the door. You let out a groan, squeezing your eyes shut in frustration. “Of course, it’s closed,” you muttered. “Why wouldn’t it be? Perfect end to a perfect day.”

Steeling yourself, you decided to at least knock and beg for help. You opened your eyes—and froze.

Standing in the faint glow of the streetlamp was someone unmistakable.

He wasn’t wearing his usual black beanie with the grayish horizontal stripes and devil horns over his messy burgundy hair. Instead, his hair caught the faintest glint of light, wild and untamed. His eyes—those black, endless voids—locked onto you, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips.

Ronin stood there, leaning casually against the wall like he owned the place. A shiny black leather jacket hung off his frame, riddled with scissors, pins, and safety pins that glinted in the dim light. Beneath it, a black t-shirt emblazoned with a grinning skull peeked through. His ripped maroon pants gave him an almost devil-may-care charm, and the GTrans bracelet on his wrist gleamed faintly, a subtle rebellion wrapped in tech.

Your breath hitched.

“Oh... my god,” you muttered under your breath, the realization hitting you like a truck. Of course. Of course this would happen.

You had somehow forgotten, amidst the chaos of the last few days, that your sweet, edgy, murder-loving boyfriend wasn’t just a killer with a penchant for theatrics—he was also a damn mechanic.

“Oh, the gods are laughing at me today,” you whispered, shaking your head as you stepped out of the car, trying to compose yourself.

Ronin tilted his head, his smirk deepening as he sauntered closer. “Well, well, well,” he drawled, his voice oozing with amusement. “Look who stumbled into my little slice of purgatory. And here I thought you’d forgotten all about me, sweetheart.”

You opened your mouth to respond, but no words came out. All you could do was stare at him, equal parts flustered and exasperated.

You cleared your throat, snapping yourself out of the trance his presence always seemed to induce. “Ronin! Hi!” you greeted, though your tone came out half-exasperated, half-relieved.

His smirk widened as he raised an eyebrow, casually shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. “Missed me, darlin’?” he teased, his voice dripping with that familiar mix of flirtation and mischief.

You crossed your arms, doing your best to look unimpressed despite the heat rising to your cheeks. “Ehh… don’t flatter yourself,” you shot back, though the faint smile tugging at your lips betrayed your act. “Anyway, I’m not here for a reunion. My car—ugh—tire’s busted, and I just need it fixed so I can get home and finally log in to the server.”

Ronin’s dark eyes sparkled with amusement as he listened, his grin softening into something almost fond. “Tough day, huh? Fan meet didn’t go so well?”

You groaned, throwing your hands up. “It was a disaster! Two days of back-to-back chaos because my manager is useless. I hated every second of it. I’ve never been so drained in my life.”

He chuckled, low and warm, the sound wrapping around you like a hug. “That does sound like hell,” he said, stepping aside and gesturing toward the garage. “C’mon in. I’ll take care of it.”

Relief washed over you as you followed him inside. The garage smelled faintly of grease and metal, a strangely comforting contrast to the suffocating sweetness of the fan meet venues. Ronin pulled out a chair, motioning for you to sit.

“You’re my savior,” you said with a dramatic sigh as you plopped down.

He smirked over his shoulder as he grabbed his tools. “Savior, devil, mechanic—it’s a wonder I don’t charge extra for all the roles I play. Since you’re my lover, though, maybe I’ll give you a discount.”

You grinned, leaning back in your seat. “Oh, maybe, huh? Some boyfriend you are.”

His laugh echoed through the garage, light and genuine. “We’ll see,” he said, his dark eyes flicking to yours for a moment, glinting with something unspoken. His smile lingered—soft, warm, and so unlike his usual devilish smirk. Maybe… maybe he’d missed you too.

As he started working on your car, you noticed the little container sitting nearby, the one you’d handed him earlier. Sure enough, he was eating the apple crumble you’d brought him.

“Hey,” you called out, “how’s the crumble?”

He glanced at you, a crumb sticking to the corner of his mouth, and grinned. “It’s good,” he said simply, his voice softening in a way that made your heart skip.

You shifted in your seat, suddenly feeling a bit shy under his gaze. Ronin noticed immediately, pausing his work and quirking an eyebrow at you. “What?” he asked, though his tone was already laced with mischief.

You shook your head quickly, trying to play it cool. “Nothing,” you said, but the way your voice wavered betrayed you.

He smirked, leaning against the car with his arms crossed, his dark eyes practically twinkling. “Oh, come on, darlin’. You’re not usually this quiet. What’s got you all flustered?”

“I’m not flustered!” you shot back, sitting up straighter in an attempt to regain some of your dignity. “And don’t call me that!”

Ronin’s grin widened, his teasing becoming relentless. “Darlin’, darlin’, darlin’,” he drawled, his voice dripping with amusement. “Gotta say, I like it when you call me that too.”

Your face burned, and you huffed, standing up abruptly to face him. “You know what? You must’ve missed me more than I missed you,” you retorted, crossing your arms in a weak attempt to shield yourself from the storm of emotions he always seemed to stir up.

Ronin tilted his head, his expression turning mock-thoughtful. “Hmm, maybe. Or maybe you’re just really bad at hiding how much you missed me.” His grin turned softer, almost fond, and you knew you were losing this battle.

“Shut up,” you muttered, stepping closer to him despite yourself.

Before you could overthink it, you grabbed him by the collar of his shiny leather jacket and pulled him down to you, pressing your lips to his in a sweet, desperate kiss. For a moment, the world seemed to stop—no broken car, no exhausting fan meet, just him.

His mouth tasted faintly of apple crumble, warm and sweet, and as the kiss deepened, you felt a jolt of something electric shoot through you. He kissed you like he always did—like destruction, chaos, and temptation wrapped in something maddeningly irresistible.

When you finally broke apart, his forehead rested against yours, his dark eyes searching yours with an intensity that made your knees weak. “Ah,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing, “you really missed me, didn’t you?”

You rolled your eyes, but the breathlessness in your laugh gave you away. “Maybe I did,” you admitted softly, your hands still clutching his jacket.

Ronin’s smile turned impossibly tender, and he leaned down again, brushing his lips against yours in a way that was softer this time “’I missed you too, darlin’.”

You sat there, legs crossed, watching Ronin work. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing the lean muscles of his arms as he worked on your car. The way his hands moved with practiced ease, the faint smirk tugging at his lips as he focused, and the occasional glint of his dark eyes—it was maddeningly distracting.

You tried not to stare. Really, you did. But every time you looked away, your eyes were drawn back to him like a moth to a flame. It didn’t help that the grease smudged across his face and the glint of metal tools in his hands only added to the rugged charm he wore so effortlessly.

Finally, he glanced up, catching you mid-stare. “What’chu lookin’ at?” he asked, his voice carrying that teasing edge that always made your heart race.

You quickly averted your gaze, trying to play it cool. “The car,” you said, a little too quickly.

Ronin snorted, straightening up and wiping his hands on a rag. “The car’s in bad shape, darlin’,” he said, gesturing to the broken tire and other issues. “She’s not gonna be ready until tomorrow at the earliest.”

You groaned, pulling out your phone to figure out your next move, but when you pressed the power button, the screen remained black. Your battery was dead. Perfect. You wanted to scream, maybe even cry, but instead, you let out a long, dramatic sigh. “Life is so shawty,” you muttered under your breath, clutching your phone like it had personally betrayed you.

Ronin raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by your theatrics. “Gonna call a cab?” he asked, though his smirk suggested he already knew the answer.

You shot him a look, holding up your dead phone. “I was gonna call a cab, but obviously, that’s not happening now.”

He studied you for a moment, the gears in his mind turning. Then, suddenly, he grinned. That devilish, mischievous grin you’d come to recognize as the prelude to one of his infamous plans.

“What?” you asked warily, narrowing your eyes at him.

“Got an idea,” he said simply, his voice low and full of implication.

Before you could ask what that meant, you stood up—and promptly tripped over a stray oil canister. You went down hard, landing in a puddle of grease with a loud thud. For a moment, you just sat there, stunned and mortified, as the slick substance seeped into your clothes.

Ronin burst out laughing, doubling over as he clutched his stomach. “Oh, darlin’, you’re killin’ me,” he said between breaths, his laughter ringing through the shop.

“Why the hell am I so trippy today?” you groaned, wiping at the grease on your hands, though it only made things worse.

Ronin crouched down beside you, still chuckling as he patted your head affectionately. “C’mon, grease monkey,” he said, helping you to your feet. “I got a plan, remember?”

You raised an eyebrow, still suspicious but curious despite yourself. “What plan?”

He grinned, leaning in just enough to make your heart skip a beat. “Sleepover,” he said, his voice practically purring. “You’re welcome to stay here tonight.”

Your eyes widened in surprise. “A sleepover? Like, here?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, but his smirk gave him away. “Unless you wanna spend the night walkin’ home in greasy clothes with no phone and no car.”

Realization dawned, and you broke into a wide grin. “You mean it?”

“Course I mean it,” he said, standing back up and gesturing around the shop. “Ain’t much, but it’s got a roof, a couch, and me. What more could you want?”

You didn’t need to think twice. “Yay!” you exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. Without thinking, you jumped up, wrapping your arms around his neck in an impulsive hug.

Ronin stiffened for a moment, clearly caught off guard, but then his arms came around you, holding you close. “Careful there, darlin’,” he said softly, his voice losing some of its teasing edge. “You’re still covered in grease.”

You pulled back, laughing despite yourself. “Guess you’ll just have to deal with it.”

Ronin led you up the narrow staircase to his house, which was tucked away just behind the garage. The walk was short, but the moment he opened the door, he turned to you with a playful smirk and said, “Welcome to the Hell”

You stepped inside and glanced around. The place was... messy, but not in a gross way. More like a chaotic bachelor pad with an oddly cozy charm. Clothes were draped over the back of the couch, empty coffee mugs lined the counter, and random tools and knickknacks were scattered around. Despite the clutter, it smelled faintly of leather and spice—distinctly Ronin.

“It’s definitely messy,” you teased, grinning at him, “but... it’s cozy! Kinda suits you, honestly.”

He gave you a look, somewhere between amusement and mock offense, before chuckling. “Thanks. And I mean it, darlin’—I don’t get many compliments about this place.”

Before you could respond, he tossed a bundle of clothes at you. “Here,” he said, nodding toward the bathroom. “Freshen up. You’re covered in grease, and you’re not gonna wanna sit on anything until you get cleaned up.”

You caught the clothes with a raised eyebrow. “What about you? You’ve been working in grease all day too.”

His grin widened, clearly catching on to what you meant. “What, you worried about me now? Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ll take my turn after you.”

You folded your arms, pretending to think it over. “Nah, you first. It’s your house, after all.”

“Uh-uh, darlin’,” he said, shaking his head. “This ain’t up for debate. You’re the guest, so you’re goin’ first.”

Realizing there was no point in arguing, you sighed dramatically. “No, I’m gonna prepare something in your kitchen. Coffee or tea sound good?”

He tilted his head, giving you a mock-serious look. “You can make whatever you want, but don’t make it too greasy. I’ve had enough grease for one day.”

You smirked, unable to resist. “You’re one to talk, Mr. Mechanic.”

That earned you a light pinch on the cheek, his fingers surprisingly gentle. “Go on, troublemaker,” he said, his tone softer now.

With that, he turned and disappeared into the small restroom, leaving you standing in his living room with the bundle of clothes. You glanced toward the kitchen, deciding it was time to live up to your promise.

You rummaged through his cabinets, you found a kettle, some tea bags, and an ancient-looking coffee maker. “This’ll do,” you mumbled to yourself, getting to work. The thought of surprising Ronin with a warm drink made you smile—you were determined to do something nice for him, even if his kitchen was a little chaotic.

While the kettle boiled, you couldn’t help but glance toward the bathroom door, a small smile tugging at your lips. Messy house or not, it felt oddly comforting to be here, in his space, where the smell of him lingered and every corner seemed to carry a piece of his personality.

You poured the hot water over the tea and set the mug down just as you heard the shower turn off. Ronin’s voice carried from behind the door. “You better not be burnin’ down my kitchen, darlin’!”

You rolled your eyes, calling back, “Your kitchen’s still standing—for now!”

Ronin emerged from the bathroom, towel slung over his neck as he dried his burgundy hair. He was wearing an oversized, slightly wrinkled t-shirt that hung loosely over his frame, paired with baggy shorts and mismatched socks. The casual look was... unfairly attractive on him, and you found yourself staring for a second too long.

Noticing your gaze, he smirked and let out a sharp whistle, snapping you back to reality. “Hey, darlin’. Enjoying the view?”

You huffed, pretending to ignore him. “Thanks for the reminder to get back to reality.”

He grinned, stepping closer. “Reality’s overrated.” He reached out and lightly poked your forehead with his finger, stopping you mid-motion. You blinked up at him, confused, and before you could say anything, he flicked your forehead gently.

“Ow!” You pouted, rubbing the spot. “What was that for?”

“For zoning out,” he teased. “C’mon, don���t tell me you’re still daydreaming about me.”

You rolled your eyes dramatically and grabbed the bundle of clothes he handed you earlier. “Whatever. Tea’s ready. Now get out of my way so I can clean up.”

He raised his hands in mock surrender, stepping aside with a playful grin. “Yes, . I’ll go enjoy my tea.. if it hasn’t turned into sludge in my absence.”

You stuck your tongue out at him before disappearing into the bathroom, shutting the door behind you. You started to clean up, you could hear him humming faintly from the other room. His voice, warm and relaxed, paired with the cozy atmosphere of his home, made you feel unexpectedly at ease.

You emerged from the bathroom, feeling a bit fresher but still shivering slightly. The oversized white t-shirt Ronin had given you hung loosely over your frame, and the little shorts he’d tossed in for good measure were surprisingly comfortable. You padded barefoot into the living room, rubbing your arms for warmth as you spotted him lounging on the couch, coffee mug in hand.

“Ah-choo!” you sneezed loudly, shaking your head as you plopped down on the opposite end of the couch.

Ronin glanced over, eyebrows raised. “Cold?”

“Yeah, the water was a bit chilly,” you said with a small laugh, sniffling.

He tilted his head in disbelief. “Didn’t you turn on the water heater?”

You blinked, your cheeks flushing. “...Nope.”

A grin spread across his face, equal parts amused and exasperated. “Tehee?” he mocked, imitating your tone perfectly. “Darlin’, you really are somethin’ else.”

You stuck your tongue out at him, curling your legs up under you on the couch. “So, what’s the plan? Are we just gonna sleep, or... you know, do something fun?”

He shrugged nonchalantly, taking a long sip of his coffee before setting the mug down. “Whatever you want, sweetheart. If you’re tired, the couch is all yours.”

You nodded, smiling softly as you moved to settle in on the couch. “Okay, sounds good—”

Before you could finish, Ronin’s hand shot out, grabbing yours and tugging you back. You let out a startled yelp as you tumbled backward, landing against him with a soft thud.

“Ehhhh!” you gasped, gripping the front of his shirt to steady yourself.

He chuckled, the sound low and teasing in your ear. “Oh, you poor thing,” he cooed mockingly, his arms resting lightly on either side of you. “You really thought I was gonna let you off that easy, huh?”

You stared up at him, your heart pounding. “Ronin...”

He smirked, shaking his head. “Relax. I’m not that cruel.” His tone softened, and he leaned back slightly, giving you space but keeping you close enough to feel his warmth. “But you shouldn’t take everything so seriously, darlin’. You’ll wear yourself out.”

You exhaled shakily, letting your guard down a little. “It’s fine,” you said quietly, your fingers still clutching the fabric of his shirt.

He glanced down, his eyes briefly scanning your outfit. “You look good in white,” he remarked, a playful glint in his dark eyes.

“Thanks,” you mumbled, feeling your face heat up.

Ronin’s expression shifted, his grin turning sharper. “Though, if you were covered in blood, it’d look even better.”

Your head snapped up, your brows furrowing. “...What? Like blood lilies or something?”

He let out a low laugh, his gaze gleaming with mischief. “Just sayin’ you’d look like a masterpiece.”

You groaned, shoving lightly at his chest. “This is supposed to be a sleepover, not one of your weird murder monologues!”

He raised his hands in mock surrender, his laughter echoing through the room. “Alright, alright. No murder talk tonight. Pinky promise.”

You eyed him suspiciously but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at your lips. “Fine. But I’m holding you to that.”

You sat comfortably, the conversation turned toward how the evening would play out.

“Alright, darlin’,” Ronin said, standing and stretching, his shirt riding up just enough to distract you momentarily. “How about we set up for a movie night? Got some good tapes in my room. Best collection of yours truly."

“Your room?” you asked, raising an eyebrow with a teasing smile.

He shrugged nonchalantly. “Yeah, my room. Don’t worry—‘other stuff’ means movies, nothing weird.”

You snickered, standing up and following him. “Sure, sure. Lead the way, oh mysterious one.”

He smirked over his shoulder and opened the door to his room. It was surprisingly cozy—cluttered, yes, but in a lived-in way. There was a stack of VHS tapes by a small TV,.

“Whoa, what’s that?” you asked, stepping closer as Ronin watched you with amusement.

“My pets,” he said, leaning against the doorframe. “C’mere. Meet Pepperoni and Blackjack.”

Your eyes widened as he opened the terrarium, revealing a sleek, vibrant snake that coiled lazily around his hand as he lifted it. “This is Pepperoni,” he said, holding the snake up for you to see. Its black-and-gold scales shimmered under the light, and it flicked its tongue curiously.

You blinked, taking a hesitant step back. “I think I’ll pass on holding that one, thanks.”

He chuckled, clearly amused. “Suit yourself. Pepper’s a sweetheart, though.”

Your attention shifted to the cage, where a small, fluffy rat sat chewing on a piece of food. “And who’s this little guy?” you asked, your tone softening as you crouched down.

“That’s Blackjack,” Ronin replied. “The little troublemaker of the house.”

Without hesitation, you opened the cage and gently picked up the rat, who squeaked but quickly settled in your hands. “Aww, you’re so cute!” you cooed, cradling Blackjack carefully.

Ronin snorted, watching the scene unfold. “Figures. Most people are scared of Blackjack, but you’re out here actin’ like he’s the cutest thing alive.”

“He is the cutest thing alive,” you shot back, stroking Blackjack’s fur.

Pepperoni flicked its tongue at you from Ronin’s hand, and you stuck your tongue out in return. “Still not holding the snake, though.”

“Your loss,” Ronin teased, letting Pepperoni coil around his arm. “But hey, Blackjack likes you, so I guess you’re off the hook.”

You laughed, setting the rat back in his cage. “You’ve got quite the little zoo here.”

“Only the best for the Devil,” he said with a wink. “Now, you ready to set up for this movie night or what?”

“Absolutely,” you replied, grinning.

With Pepperoni draped casually around his shoulders, Ronin handed you a stack of pillows and blankets, and the two of you started arranging them on the floor of his room

Ronin’s smirk grew wider as you squealed, clearly entertained by your reactions. He gently guided your hands to hold Pepperoni, carefully draping the snake around your arms. “C’mon, darlin’, it’s just a little snake,” he said, his voice full of amusement as you hesitated. “She won’t bite unless you piss her off.”

You giggled nervously, your hands trembling just a bit as Pepperoni slithered across your arms. “It’s so...slimy!” you squeaked, but there was an undeniable excitement in your voice.

“See? Told you It’s cute,” Ronin said, his tone teasing as he watched you fidget. “Just don’t freak out on me now. It's pretty chill.”

You squealed again, but this time it was more out of delight than fear. “Pepper!” you cooed, your hands slowly becoming more comfortable with the soft, slithery sensation of the snake. “You’re so adorable!”

Ronin chuckled, clearly enjoying the sight of you bonding with Pepperoni. “Yeah, I knew you’d come around. Look at you, all soft with my child here.”

You looked up at him, your cheeks flushing slightly from the attention. “You know, I never thought I’d be holding a snake today,” you said, laughing nervously but genuinely enjoying the moment. “It’s cute, though, in a weird, slithery way.”

“Thought you’d say that.” Ronin’s grin turned playful as he watched you interact with the snake. “I think it likes you.”

You gave Pepperoni a gentle stroke down her smooth back, and the snake flicked its tongue out at you, seemingly in approval. “Well, I like them too. Maybe it can stay here, and Blackjack can be my buddy.”

“That’s the spirit, darlin’,” Ronin said, clearly amused by your change in attitude. “But no promises on which one’s more trouble.”

You laughed, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth and contentment settling over you. Despite the oddities of Ronin’s life—his pets, his chaotic nature—this felt oddly perfect. Pepperoni nestled herself more comfortably in your arms as if sensing the calm around her.

“You’re alright, Pepper,” you whispered softly, making Ronin smile with a knowing look. “And I guess you’re not too bad either,” you added, glancing up at him with a playful grin.

“You’re full of surprises, darlin’,” he said, reaching out to gently pat Pepperoni’s head. “But you’re definitely more comfortable with her than I thought you’d be. You just needed a little nudge in the right direction, huh?”

You rolled your eyes, but the smile on your face couldn’t be hidden. “Maybe. I’ll admit it—I’m getting used to your weirdness.”

“That’s the first step, sweetheart.” Ronin gave you a soft look as you held Pepperoni carefully, and his teasing expression softened for a moment. “

Ronin was moving around, grabbing extra pillows and blankets, as he made a cozy little space on the floor in his room. His hands were quick and efficient, pulling everything together to create a comfy spot for your movie night. He glanced over at you, still holding both Pepperoni and Blackjack with the most tender, protective care, like a mother cradling her little ones. You were genuinely smitten with the animals, and the sight of you bonding with them made Ronin’s heart soften, despite the tough exterior he tried so hard to maintain.

"Look at you," Ronin said with a teasing smile, his eyes gleaming with affection as he laid out the final blanket on the floor. "You’re all overprotective of my pets now, huh?"

You giggled, holding Pepperoni and Blackjack close to your chest like they were the most precious things in the world. "They’re just so cute! I love them already," you said, grinning wide. "I can’t believe I was ever scared of them."

Ronin sat back on his heels, eyes softened by your gentle smile. "Well, I knew you'd come around," he said with a smirk. "Look at you, all cozy with my animals now. Can’t say I didn’t warn you."

You rolled your eyes playfully at him but couldn’t help but beam with affection. "They’re so sweet! Pepperoni’s like a little snake cuddle bug," you said, carefully shifting both of them to make room for yourself on the blankets. "And Blackjack... Blackjack’s a whole mood. I love how feisty he is."

"You’re a natural," Ronin teased, finally getting to work on setting up his own spot, lying back onto the freshly made blanket pile. "I guess this’ll be your permanent home now, huh? First the couch, now the floor. You’re gonna need a bigger space for all that love you’ve got for my pets."

You scooted over onto the blankets with Pepperoni and Blackjack in tow, settling down beside Ronin, your eyes sparkling with excitement. "I wouldn’t mind it," you replied, laughing softly as you tucked yourself in. "This is comfy! I could totally see myself spending more time here."

Ronin’s smirk softened into something warmer. He sat up, glancing at you with a quiet kind of affection before handing you the remote. "Alright, sweetheart, pick the movie. I’ll let you choose—since you’re obviously in charge of the pets now," he said, his voice teasing but filled with a subtle warmth.

You chuckled, looking at him through your lashes as you took the remote from his hand. "Well, if I’m in charge of the pets, you’re in charge of snacks," you quipped. "And by snacks, I mean anything sweet that you might have in this den of yours."

"Alright, alright, I’ll get the snacks," Ronin said, standing up and stretching. "But don’t think you’re getting away with it so easy. You’re gonna have to share some of that love with me too, darlin’."

With that, he headed to the kitchen, leaving you snuggling with the animals. You couldn’t stop smiling—between the warm blankets, the two cute pets, and Ronin’s easygoing, yet slightly possessive presence, it felt like you were finally finding your place in his world.

Pepperoni coiled herself comfortably on your lap, while Blackjack settled beside you, making content little squeaks. It felt so peaceful, so right, even in the midst of Ronin’s chaotic world. You ran your fingers through Pepperoni’s scales, a soft smile still lingering on your lips.

Ronin quietly put the pets back in their respective spots, making sure they were comfortable before heading back to you. He grabbed a plate of food he had prepared earlier, setting it on the low table between you both. With a soft smile, he poured you a cup of pu-erh tea, the rich, earthy aroma filling the air as he handed it to you.

"Here," he said, with that familiar mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Hope it’s to your liking."

You took the cup with a grateful smile, your fingers brushing his for just a moment. "Thank you," you murmured, the warmth of the tea comforting you.

Ronin's eyes softened for a second, before his mischievous grin returned. Without warning, he threw a soft plushie at you. You blinked, surprised as it hit your chest. It was a goose plushie, its beady eyes staring up at you, and you couldn’t help but chuckle at the ridiculousness of it. "What the hell, Ronin?" you said, holding it up and looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

He laughed and shrugged. "I think it’s funny. Plus, you’re in my den now, darlin'. You’ve gotta embrace the weird."

Before you could respond, he grabbed the blanket that was laid out on the floor and threw it toward you. You yelped, startled by his playful antics as the blanket landed on top of you.

"You’re really pushing it tonight, huh?" you grumbled, trying to maintain a tough exterior.

Ronin just smirked, before walking over and sitting beside you. He casually draped the blanket over both of you, wrapping it snugly around your shoulders, pulling you closer. His touch was gentle, but there was a subtle, teasing glint in his eyes.

He kissed your forehead softly, the gesture tender and loving. As he pulled back, he playfully flicked your forehead, and you let out a soft huff, trying to hold onto your tough facade.

"Hmph," you muttered, pretending to be annoyed, but deep down, you were softening under his affection.

Ronin chuckled and spoke something in Cantonese, his voice low and playful.

"你真可愛 (Nei zan ho oi)." He said with a teasing grin.

You blinked, trying to make sense of what he said. "What?" you asked, tilting your head slightly, confused.

He leaned closer, his face just inches from yours, his eyes glinting with amusement. Slowly, he turned your head to face him, your gazes locking. For a split second, you both stayed still, the tension thick in the air, almost on the verge of a kiss.

But Ronin suddenly broke the moment with a playful smirk. "Darlin’... the movie," he reminded you, his voice teasing yet soft, his breath warm against your lips.

The screen lit up with the opening credits of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, you blinked at the title in disbelief. Of all the movies he could’ve picked, you had really thought Ronin might go for something romantic—some cliché sappy flick to match his occasional sweet words.

But no. Of course, he went with blood, gore, and chaos. Typical.

You glanced at him, squinting. “Really?” you asked, pointing at the screen.

He just smirked and shrugged, pulling the blanket tighter around the both of you and drawing you closer. “What? It’s a classic, darlin “Besides, you said it was fine, darlin’. No backing out now.”

You huffed, but your lips twitched into a small smile. “Fine,” you muttered, settling against him. “But if I get nightmares, it’s your fault.”

The movie started, and it didn’t take long for the blood and chaos to unfold. At the first particularly gruesome scene, you let out an involuntary scream, clutching onto Ronin like your life depended on it. His chest rumbled with laughter, his hand coming up to ruffle your hair.

“Aw, poor thing,” he teased, his tone dripping with amusement. “Didn’t know you were so delicate.”

You glared at him, but the next jump scare had you clinging to him again. He laughed even harder, his arm tightening around you. “This is gold,” he muttered, clearly enjoying himself.

The movie went on, though, the gore stopped bothering you as much. In fact, you started focusing more on the characters, your writer brain kicking into full gear.

“That guy’s an idiot,” you muttered, gesturing to the screen as one of the characters made a particularly stupid decision. “Like, who thinks splitting up in the middle of nowhere is a good idea? It’s like they want to get murdered.”

Ronin glanced at you, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Oh? And what would you have them do, genius?”

“They should’ve stayed together,” you said, your tone firm. “And they should’ve been armed. Like, why do they never carry weapons? It’s basic survival.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Listen to you, plotting their whole survival strategy. What are you gonna do next, darlin’? Rewrite the script?”

You shot him a mock glare. “I’m just saying, it’s frustrating when characters act so unrealistically. If I were writing this, they’d at least have some common sense.”

“Ah, there it is,” he said, his smirk widening. “That writer brain of yours. Can’t even watch a horror movie without tearing it apart. You’re adorable, you know that?”

Your cheeks warmed, and you tried to play it off with a shrug. “I just think it could be better, that’s all.”

“Sure, sure,” he teased, leaning in closer. “Keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile, you’re over here analyzing every character like you’re their therapist.”

You elbowed him lightly, but you couldn’t hide your smile. “And what’s wrong with that? It’s not my fault they’re poorly written.”

He laughed, his eyes glinting with amusement as he looked down at you. “You’re somethin’ else, darlin’. But don’t worry—if Leatherface shows up, I’ll protect you.”

“Gee, thanks,” you said dryly, though the warmth in your chest betrayed your sarcasm.

By the time the movie ended, you were leaning comfortably against him, your earlier fear replaced by a strange sense of contentment. Ronin reached for the remote and turned off the screen, glancing down at you with a smirk.

“So,” he said, “what’s the verdict? Was it romantic enough for you?”

You rolled your eyes, but you couldn’t stop the smile from tugging at your lips. “Oh, absolutely,” you said, your voice dripping with sarcasm. “Nothing says romance like chainsaws and gore.”

He chuckled, his fingers gently brushing against your shoulder. “Glad you liked it, sweetheart.

Ronin sifted through the stack of DVDs with one hand, the other still casually draped around your shoulders. You leaned against him, watching as he inspected each case. After the chaos of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, you were bracing yourself for another round of gore. When he stopped on Saw, your stomach sank.

“Nope. Absolutely not,” you said, your voice firm. “I can’t handle another movie where people are chopped up like deli meat.”

He turned to you, a devilish grin spreading across his face. “What’s wrong, darlin’? Too much for you?”

“Yes, too much for me,” you replied, crossing your arms. “Pick something comforting for once. Don’t you have, like, a favorite movie that isn’t about blood and guts?”

Ronin raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by your insistence. He looked back at the DVDs, muttering under his breath. “Comforting, huh?”

After a moment, he let out a soft sigh and picked up a case with a nostalgic gleam in his eyes. “Maybe this,” he said, holding it up.

You blinked at the title. Heathers.

“Oh,” you said, sitting up straighter. “That’s... unexpected.”

“What?” he asked with a smirk. “Not enough blood and murder for you?”

“No, it’s just—” You paused, tilting your head. “Actually, never mind. Put it on."

He slid the disc into the player, and as the opening credits rolled, you found yourself stealing glances at him. Something about the way he looked at the screen, a little softer and more thoughtful than usual, made you curious.

The movie unfolded, and you couldn’t help but get sucked into the dark humor and iconic lines. But when J.D. appeared on screen, you couldn’t stop yourself from blurting out, “You know, J.D. kinda reminds me of you.”

Ronin froze mid-sip of his tea, slowly lowering the cup to glare at you. “Excuse me?”

You grinned, loving the reaction already. “I’m just saying! He’s all intense, mysterious, a little unhinged. Very ‘I-do-what-I-want’ vibes. Totally you.”

Ronin leaned back against the couch, giving you the most offended look you’d ever seen. “Darlin’,” he said, his voice dripping with mock disbelief. “Did you just compare me to that twink?”

You burst out laughing, unable to stop yourself. “Oh, come on, it’s not that bad! J.D. is, like, the ultimate bad boy. You should be flattered.”

He stared at you, his mouth slightly open, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Flattered?” he repeated. “He’s a whiny, melodramatic man-child who thinks he’s edgy because he wears a trench coat. You really think that’s me?”

“Well,” you teased, leaning in closer. “You both do have a flair for theatrics. And the whole brooding, dangerous vibe? Spot on.”

Ronin groaned, running a hand down his face. “I can’t believe this,” he muttered. “What the fuck did I fall in love with? An idiot?”

You giggled, clearly enjoying how much it got under his skin. “Admit it. You see the resemblance.”

“The only thing I see is that you have terrible taste in comparisons,” he shot back. “J.D.’s just... ugh. No. Not even close.”

“But,” you continued, ignoring his protests, “Heathers is a good movie, right? You have to admit, it’s got some great lines. Like, ‘Our love is God.’ Very Ronin-core.”

He shook his head, looking both amused and exasperated. “If you keep this up, I’m gonna start regretting letting you stay here tonight.”

You gasped dramatically, clutching your chest. “You wouldn’t.”

“Watch me,” he said, but the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed him.

The movie went on, you both got caught up in the story, occasionally pausing to debate certain scenes. When the moment came where J.D. goes completely off the rails, you gave Ronin a pointed look.

“Okay, this part is very you,” you said, gesturing at the screen.

Ronin threw a pillow at you without hesitation. “You’re done. No more comparisons.”

You laughed, catching the pillow and hugging it to your chest. “Fine, fine. I’ll stop. But seriously, do you not see why people like this movie so much? It’s dark, it’s funny, it’s... weirdly relatable?”

He considered that for a moment, his expression softening slightly. “Yeah, I get it,” he admitted. “There’s something about the way it shows how messed up people can be, but still... human, y’know? Even the worst of ‘em.”

You smiled at his thoughtful response, feeling a little proud of him for looking past the surface. “Exactly. That’s why it’s so good. It’s not just about the chaos—it’s about what drives it.”

He nodded, leaning back against the couch again. “Still not J.D., though.”

“Okay, okay, I get it,” you said, holding up your hands in surrender. “You’re way cooler than J.D. Happy?”

“Much,” he said with a smirk.

The movie ended, and the two of you sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the credits rolling in the background. You turned to him, a small smile on your lips. “So,” you said softly. “What did you think?”

He shrugged, but there was a glint of appreciation in his eyes. “Not bad,” he admitted. “Still think you’re insane for comparing me to that guy, though.”

You laughed, nudging him playfully. “You’re just mad because I called him a twink.”

Ronin rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, yeah. Keep it up, and I’ll find a way to make you regret it.”

“Oh, I’m terrified,” you teased, leaning your head on his shoulder.

He didn’t respond, but his arm came up to wrap around you, pulling you a little closer. Despite the banter, the warmth between you was undeniable.

The credits rolled on Heathers, Ronin leaned back, his gaze lingering on the screen with an expression you didn’t see often—soft, almost nostalgic. His lips curved into a small, almost imperceptible smile as he exhaled deeply.

“This is my comfort movie,” he admitted, his voice quieter than usual. “Dunno why, but it’s... nice.”

You blinked in surprise, watching the way his eyes softened in the flickering light of the screen. It was rare to see him this unguarded. “Really? Heathers? I mean, I get it, but... I didn’t think you’d have a ‘comfort’ anything.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Don’t make it weird, darlin’. Sometimes I just like somethin’ that reminds me... I dunno, that people are complicated. Flawed. And that’s okay.”

You smiled at his honesty, turning your attention back to the screen. The quiet moment between you felt strangely intimate, as if Heathers had peeled back a layer of his usual bravado to reveal something deeper.

But then, out of the corner of your eye, you noticed him shifting slightly away from you. The change was subtle, but you felt the absence of his warmth immediately. You turned to him, concern knitting your brows.

“Ronin?” you asked softly. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” he said quickly, his tone light, though his eyes flickered with something else. “Just... remembered someone, is all.”

You tilted your head, studying him carefully. His shoulders were tense, his jaw tight in a way that told you it wasn’t “nothing” at all. Still, you didn’t press. Instead, you reached out, gently taking his hand in yours.

“If you need space, I can—”

“No,” he interrupted, his grip tightening around your hand. His eyes met yours, sharp yet vulnerable. “I’m fine. Stay.”

You nodded, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “Okay.”

The moment hung in the air between you, thick with unspoken words, until he cleared his throat and stood up abruptly. “Right. Enough of that,” he said, his tone shifting back to his usual devil-may-care attitude. “Let’s do another movie.”

You raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “You mean another comfort movie?”

He smirked, heading toward his DVD stack. “Something like that.”

You watched as he sifted through the cases, his movements deliberate but slightly mischievous. He pulled out a DVD and held it up, the grin on his face widening.

Your stomach dropped. “No.”

“Yes,” he said, his tone dripping with mock enthusiasm as he displayed the case proudly.

“No,” you repeated, more emphatically this time, as you stared at the title.

Saw.

“Yup,” he said, popping the disc into the player. “Let’s get cozy, darlin’.”

“Ronin, I swear—”

But it was too late. The screen lit up with the ominous opening sequence, and you could already feel the dread pooling in your chest. You turned to him, your expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation.

“Comfort movie, my ass,” you muttered.

He plopped back down beside you, pulling the blanket around both of you with a satisfied smirk. “What can I say? There’s just somethin’ about a little creative problem-solving under pressure.”

You groaned, burying your face in your hands. “I hate you.”

“Sure you do,” he said, his voice low and amused.

The movie started, you couldn’t help but glance over at him. Despite your protests, you could see the way his eyes lit up at the screen, his smirk fading into an expression of genuine interest. It was maddening how much he enjoyed this stuff—but then again, it was also so him.

Saw unfolded on the screen, you quickly regretted every decision that led to this moment. The infamous reverse bear trap scene came up, Amanda crying and panicking as the countdown ticked mercilessly down. The sound effects, the tension, the gore—it all sent chills down your spine.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAA!” you screamed, clutching the blanket tightly against your chest as if it could shield you from the horror. “NOPE! NOPE! NOPE!”

Ronin, on the other hand, was the picture of calm, his sharp eyes locked on the screen with a faint smirk. “Classic,” he murmured under his breath, clearly unbothered by the grotesque imagery.

You couldn’t take it anymore. Another loud sound from the screen had you flinging yourself at him, burying your face into his chest. “RONIN, WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!” you shrieked, muffled against his shirt.

He didn’t even flinch. Instead, he raised an eyebrow and patted your back, trying—and failing—not to laugh. “Darlin’, it’s just a movie,” he said, amusement lacing his voice. “You’re actin’ like Jigsaw’s about to crawl outta the TV.”

“HE MIGHT!” you wailed, clinging to him like a lifeline. Your arms wrapped tightly around his torso, and you pressed your face deeper into his chest, refusing to look at the screen. “This is torture! Actual torture!”

“You’re so dramatic,” he teased, shaking his head. But despite his words, his hand rested on your back, rubbing small, reassuring circles.

Another scream from the movie made you jump so hard you nearly climbed into his lap. He burst out laughing, his chest vibrating under your cheek. “Oh, darlin’, you’re killin’ me,” he said between chuckles. “It’s just fake blood.”

“It looks real!” you snapped, finally peeking up at him. His amused expression only made your blood boil more. “Why are you so calm?! Do you have ice water in your veins?”

“Maybe,” he replied, his smirk widening. “Or maybe I’m just built different.”

You groaned, swatting at his chest. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re adorable,” he shot back, his voice softening just a fraction.

Your cheeks burned at the unexpected compliment, but before you could respond, another gory scene flashed on the screen. You let out an involuntary shriek, practically throwing yourself onto him this time. His laughter filled the room, loud and unapologetic.

“You’re squeezin’ me so tight, darlin’, I think I’m about to be your next victim,” he joked, though his arms instinctively wrapped around you, holding you close.

“Shut up!” you mumbled into his chest. “I hate this. I hate you. I hate—”

A particularly loud squelching sound interrupted you, and you let out another scream. At this point, you weren’t even sure if it was fear or frustration fueling your outbursts. All you knew was that you were glued to Ronin, and there was no way you were watching another second of this movie without him as your human shield.

The screen went black and the end credits of Saw rolled, you let out the loudest, most dramatic sigh of relief imaginable. "FINALLY! It's over!" you declared, throwing your hands up like you’d just survived a warzone.

It was then you realized you weren’t holding the plushie Ronin had thrown at you earlier. No, instead of the goose plushie or even his oddly named "Devil" plush, you were clutching onto him like your life depended on it. Your arms were tightly wound around his torso, and your head was nestled comfortably against his shoulder.

“Uh…” you blinked, processing the situation, then shot him a wide-eyed look.

Ronin tilted his head slightly, a teasing smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Comfortable there, darlin’?" he asked, his tone dripping with amusement.

You practically launched yourself off him, retreating to your side of the makeshift movie-watching setup so fast you might as well have left a dust trail. "WH-WH-WHAT?! NO! I—UH—PLUSHIE! I THOUGHT—"

He threw his head back and laughed, his low, rich chuckle echoing through the room. “Oh, this is priceless,” he said between breaths, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye. “You really ditched the plushie for me, huh?”

You sat there, clutching the goose plush to your chest now like it could erase the memory of your impromptu cuddle session. "I DIDN’T MEAN TO!" you blurted, your face burning with embarrassment. “It’s your fault for putting on such a terrifying movie!”

“Sure, sure,” he replied, clearly unconvinced. His teasing smile only grew as he leaned back against the pillows, watching your flustered reaction like it was the real entertainment. “You scream, you cry, and now you use me as a teddy bear. Guess I really am a jack-of-all-trades.”

“Shut up,” you muttered, glaring at him. But your glare had no bite, especially when your cheeks were still so red.

“Hey, I’m not complainin’,” he added with a shrug, his voice softer now. “Kinda cute, actually. You clingin’ to me like that.”

Your embarrassment doubled, and you buried your face in the plushie. "You’re the worst."

“And yet, here you are.” He chuckled again, clearly having way too much fun at your expense.

You peeked out from behind the plushie, narrowing your eyes at him. “Don’t think this means I like Saw now.”

“Didn’t expect you to,” he said with a grin. “But admit it, darlin’—watchin’ it with me made it… tolerable.”

You rolled your eyes, but a small smile tugged at your lips despite yourself. “Maybe,” you admitted begrudgingly. “But next time, I’m picking the movie.”

Ronin smirked. “Deal. Just as long as it doesn’t put me to sleep.”

The movie droned on in the background, the slow, melodramatic music barely making a ripple in the heavy silence between you two. Ronin, lounging beside you, had shifted slightly, clearly bored, his hand resting on the blanket, his eyes flicking from the screen to you every few seconds.

You, on the other hand, were fighting to keep your eyes open, the events of the night catching up to you. It had been a long day of tension, teasing, and some undeniably embarrassing moments. You yawned quietly, doing your best to hide it behind your hand, but Ronin caught it anyway.

“You tired?” he asked, his voice a soft hum next to you.

You quickly shook your head, trying to feign alertness. "No, no, just—uh… stretching."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying your act, but didn't press. Instead, he grabbed the remote and clicked the pause button, halting the movie mid-scene.

“Thank you,” you breathed, dramatically throwing yourself back into the pillows, “This is a blessing.”

Ronin’s lips twitched into an amused grin. “You really don’t like this movie, do you?”

You shook your head, pulling the blanket tighter around you. “Not really. It’s so… dumb.”

He blinked in surprise. “Dumb? What’s so dumb about it?”

You scoffed, sitting up slightly as you explained, “The man’s literally tearing himself apart because he’s stuck in the past. He can't say ‘I love you’ to this person because of some memories with his first love. And the other person is making him choose between them or his past. It’s just… dumb.”

Ronin’s head tilted slightly, the usual cocky edge to his expression faltering for a moment. “You’re saying it’s dumb because of the past?”

You nodded, feeling strangely passionate about it. “Yeah. It’s like… why should someone have to pick between their past and their future? Memories are a part of who you are. If it’s comforting to him, if his first love gave him something—then that’s just a part of him. The second person, they’re asking him to forget all that, and that’s not fair. No one can erase their past, no matter how perfect the present is. The past shapes people, it’s not something you can just toss away.”

You paused, then added softly, “It’s not about forgetting someone or something… it’s just about making space for the new things, too. You can still carry those memories with you, even if you move on.”

Ronin stared at you for a long moment, his gaze searching, intense as always. Then, slowly, he let out a low sigh and shifted in his seat, bringing his knees up and crossing his arms. “And what would you do in a situation like that?”

Your heart skipped, his question suddenly feeling a little too real. You looked at him for a beat, chewing on your lip. “I’d comfort the guy,” you said, your voice soft but sure. “I’d tell him, it’s okay. That it's okay to have those memories. Because they made him who he is. I’d be glad he trusted me enough to share them, to open up about his first love. It’s a huge thing to let someone into those spaces of your heart.”

You shrugged, offering a small smile. “And, I guess… I’d be happy knowing that I have a place in his heart, too. Even if it’s not all of it.”

Ronin’s eyes narrowed a fraction, his mouth turning into a small, thoughtful frown. You couldn’t quite tell if it was just your words or something else that had made his expression shift.

He stared at the screen for a long moment before looking back at you. His voice was quieter now, almost contemplative. “You’d really feel that way? You wouldn’t feel… second best?”

You shrugged again, a faint chuckle escaping you. “Nope. Not at all. Because it’s not about being ‘first’ or ‘second.’ It’s about being there for the person. If they let you in, even just a little, that’s enough.”

Ronin’s eyes softened ever so slightly. You didn’t miss the shift in his demeanor, the way his posture relaxed. It felt like, for a brief moment, something between you two had clicked. You were both sitting on the floor, surrounded by pillows and blankets, a cozy little cocoon, yet it felt like the world had just gotten a little bit bigger—more open.

“Well,” he said, his voice warm but with a touch of amusement returning to his tone.

You raised an eyebrow, unsure if you should feel more curious or confused. “What do you mean?”

Ronin’s eyes flicked over to you, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then, after a brief, tense silence, he shrugged. “Maybe,” he said quietly. “Maybe.”

You leaned back against the pillows, letting the quiet fill the space. The movie was still paused on the screen, the sappy romantic scene playing out in the background, but it hardly mattered anymore. The tension that had once been in the air had softened, replaced by something warmer, more genuine.

The silence between you and Ronin stretched, the weight of the unspoken words thick in the air. You could feel the steady rhythm of his breathing next to you, his presence so palpable it was like a shield. The movie played on in the background, its plot long forgotten, but neither of you seemed to care anymore.

The blanket cocooned you both, the warmth and closeness making it feel like a world of your own. You turned to look at him, the moment heavy with unspoken thoughts.

"What's wrong?" you asked softly, your voice barely above a whisper.

Ronin didn't answer right away. Instead, he leaned in, his lips brushing yours in a soft, unexpected kiss. It was a surprise, one that made your heart skip a beat, but you didn’t hesitate. You kissed him back, the connection between you both deepening with each passing second. The kiss wasn’t rushed; it was gentle, a silent affirmation of everything that had been said and unsaid between you two.

The movie continued to run, but neither of you were paying attention. The only thing that mattered was the shared comfort of the blanket, the warmth of Ronin’s arms around you, and the way the kiss felt like something unspoken yet understood.

Ronin pulled back slightly, his expression unreadable, but his eyes softened. "Thank you," he murmured, barely loud enough for you to hear. It was a small, simple sentence, but the way it made your chest tighten told you just how much it meant.

Before you could respond, Ronin kissed you again, his lips brushing yours in a way that said more than words ever could. He didn’t give you the chance to ask why, didn’t give you the space to pull away or question anything. He just held you close, his presence quiet but powerful, and his kisses wrapped around you like a promise.

You leaned into him, your heart pounding in your chest, but for some reason, there was no need to talk. You just let yourself melt into him, and as his head settled on yours, your own resting on his neck, you felt a sense of peace that you hadn’t realized you’d been craving.

Your eyelids fluttered, heavy with sleep, and before you knew it, your yawn escaped, followed by a soft mumble. Ronin didn’t say anything, just held you close as the warmth of his embrace lulled you into sleep.

You drifted off, you felt the movie still running, but it faded into the background as Ronin gently closed the TV. He kissed your forehead with a tenderness that made your heart ache in the most comforting way.

“Goodnight, darlin’,” he whispered softly, his voice a balm to your tired soul.

Before you could respond, you felt yourself being lifted. You blinked sleepily, your mind too foggy to fully comprehend what was happening. “Is it okay if I sleep with you?” you asked, your voice drowsy and uncertain.

Ronin’s smile was soft, almost fond, as he nodded. “Yes, of course,” he replied, his voice so gentle it made your heart swell.

You barely had the energy to process his words as he carried you to bed, your head resting against his chest, your limbs draped around him in a tangle of sleepy comfort. You mumbled something incoherent in your haze of exhaustion, your voice trailing off as you finally succumbed to the sleep that had been creeping up on you all night.

“Ronin,” you mumbled again, this time with more clarity, “I love you.”

Ronin paused for a brief moment, his gaze softening as he looked down at you. Then, in a low, quiet voice, he whispered back in Cantonese, “I love you.”

He kissed your forehead with a tenderness that made your heart flutter, and then, without another word, he pulled you closer, holding you securely as he cuddled you to sleep.

Ronin held you close, his arms tight around you as you nestled against his chest, the night filling with a comfortable silence. His fingers lightly traced patterns on your back, but then his voice broke the quiet, low and steady, a tone that held so many unspoken emotions. His Cantonese words flowed softly, almost as if he was speaking to himself.

"你知道嗎？我從來沒有想過會有人出現在我這種腐朽的生活中。" (Nei zi dou maa? Ngoh chung loi meiyou seung gwo wui yahn chut joi ngo jeung chong fu gau dik sang wut jung.)

You looked up at him, trying to focus on what he was saying, his eyes soft but distant. He continued, the words coming out more slowly, as if they were something he had been holding back for a long time.

"你就像一個腐爛的聖人，從來沒有人能看見我，直到你出現了。你，存在於這裡，像是我生命中的一線光芒，讓我明白還有別的可能，還有希望。” (Nei jauh cheung yat go fu laan dik sing yan, chong loi mei yauh yahn nang hon gin ngo, jik dou nei chut yin la. Nei, chyun joi yu jeui lei, cheung si ngo sang ming jung dik yat sin gwong mong, yeung ngo ming baak waan yauh bit dik hoh ning, waan yauh hei mong.)

He sighed deeply, resting his chin atop your head. His voice was softer now, the weight of his words almost breaking through the stone walls he had built around himself.

"多謝你存在，謝謝你出現在我的生命裡，讓我明白一切都還不算太遲。" (Do jeh nei chyun joi, jeh jeh nei chut yin joi ngo dik sang ming leui, yeung ngo ming baak yat chai dou waan bat syun taai chi.)

You felt a slight tension in his body, as if he was waiting for something, but it wasn’t about you needing to say anything. He was giving you a part of himself he rarely shared, in the rawest form he knew how to.

"你知唔知…我愛你？" (Nei zi m zi... ngoh oi nei?)

His voice was hushed, a whisper against the stillness. Even though you didn’t fully understand the depth of everything he was saying, the emotion in his voice was clear. You felt it resonate deep inside you.

"謝謝你存在在這裡，謝謝你愛我…" (Je jeh nei chyun joi joi jeui lei, je jeh nei oi ngo...)

He pulled you closer, his arms tightening around you like he wanted to never let go. The words flowed from him without hesitation now, the raw honesty of it making your heart ache.

"你讓我覺得，這個世界不再那麼腐爛。我一度以為自己只是一個壞人，但遇見你之後，才知道也許我還有資格去愛。" (Nei yeung ngo gok dak, je go sai gaai bat joi naam mo fu laan. Ngoh yat dou yi wai ji gei chi sik yat go waai yan, daan yu gin nei ji hau, coi ji dou ya heui ngo waan yauh ji gaak heoi oi.)

He closed his eyes, as though the confession was not just for you, but for himself. A deep breath escaped his lips, and his voice was barely above a murmur when he added, "我愛你，謝謝你讓我感覺到一點溫暖..." (Ngoh oi nei, je jeh nei yeung ngo gam gok dou yat dim wan neung...)

"You know? I never thought someone would come into my rotten life like this."

"You’re like a rotten saint, no one ever saw me until you appeared. You, existing here, are like a ray of light in my life, making me realize that there are still other possibilities, still hope."

"Thank you for existing, thank you for appearing in my life, making me realize that not everything is too late."

"Do you know... I love you?"

"Thank you for existing here, thank you for loving me..."

"You make me feel like the world isn't so rotten anymore. I once thought I was just a bad person, but after meeting you, I realized that maybe I still have the right to love."

"I love you, thank you for making me feel a little warmth..."

[lydiasfalling]

ABOUT YOU

percy jackson x apollo!reader

➸✧˖*°࿐ taglist : open!

˗ˋˏ warnings : none. pure fluff ˎˊ-

‧₊˚✧ lydia’s yap fest ! ✧˚₊‧

i love a good apollo reader bc sunshine ppl are so so sweet. enjoy!!

you had decided that this moment might be your favorite. you laid on the beach in your favorite swimsuit, tanning in the heat of the sun. percy was splashing around in the water, doing different tricks to earn praise from you. moments like these helped remind you that, through everything, you were just two teenagers in love. no war ( or temper tantrum from the gods ) could take you away from eachother.

“sunshine?” percy asked from the water, “you there?”

“mhm. just enjoying myself.” you returned, shooting him a toothy grin.

“come swim?” he looked at you with a pleading gaze, motioning for you to join him. normally, you would say no, but something about the way his hair laid over his forehead or the way his skin glistened due to the heat made you agree. you stood up, walking over to the water and standing there for a moment.

“whatcha waiting for?” he smirked, offering his hand to you.

“i’m trying to acclimate, thank you very much.” you placed your hand in his. he quickly dragged you into the water, you letting out a gasp due to the temperature change.

“you have to go all at once. makes it easier.” he winked at you in mischief before pulling you entirely under the water. due to the taunt skin of your boyfriend, you weren’t as cold as you expected to be. being apollos daughter might have helped with that as well, but you chose not to address that part. you blinked away the water in your eyes before swimming back up to the surface. pushing your hair out of your face, you looked around for percy.

“perce!” you knew he could hear you from wherever he was under the water, yet he didn’t respond with words. instead, he wrapped his arms around your waist and picked you up. you wrapped your legs around his torso while he supported your thighs.

he looked at you with so much intensity you wondered if you should be concerned. his gaze held every emotion he couldn’t express through words. suddenly, he leaned in to place his lips on yours. the kiss was gentle. so soft yet filled with so much passion. one of his hands moved from its place under your thighs to the back of your neck. his skin against yours felt like pure euphoria. your hands tangles in his hair, pulling on the raven locks. this elicited a groan from percy.

he pulled back slowly, resting his forehead against yours. he spoke gently, “gods, sunshine.” he laughed slightly, head dipping down to your neck to trail kisses along the skin. “you taste like saltwater.” he pointed out.

“is that a good thing?” you questioned. you could feel his smile against the skin of your neck.

“it’s an amazing thing, sweetheart.” he spun you around in the water.

as time continued on, you both continued to swim around. from splashing eachother to floating on your backs, you just enjoyed each others presence. the sun started to set, casting an orange hue along the sky and water. bye the time the two of you got out of the water, your skin was filled with prunes and your hair was stiff. you didn’t mind, however, because you got to sown some much need alone time with your boyfriend in the serenity of the ocean water. you couldn’t have spent your afternoon better.

taglist : @laufeysvalentine @moonysloveee @raysmayhem-72

my masterlist

[dunzella]

Yandere! Serial Killer

♢ Yandere! Serial Killer whose on the run from the police, "she" had been careless with one of "her" victims, a rare slip-up for someone who prided "herself" on precision. Evidence left behind, a single, damning thread now had the authorities breathing down "her" neck.

Yandere! Serial Killer who isn’t new to the game. "She" had been turning victims into works of art for years, taking people who were in horrible accidents barely clinging onto life before "she" takes them and turns them into dolls.

Now "she's" forced to lay low, with a disguise. A wig cascaded down "her" back, pastel highlights blending effortlessly.

Dainty hands adjusted the straps of a tight pink corset while "she" checked "herself" in the mirror. Thick thighs hugged by stockings, soft pink lips curling into a knowing smirk.

The police would never suspect "her." No one ever did.

Yandere! Serial Killer wandered into a coffee shop one day, and spotted you. Instantly remembering you as "her" high school crush, never really spoken a few shy 'hi's' here and there. "She" mainly just observed from afar since you was always surrounded by people.

You was a senior and "she" was a sophmore, so when you graduated and left the school it broke "her" heart. Never able to confess to you about "her" feelings or even managing to court you.

Yandere! Serial Killer who thinks this was fate, a second chance and was about to walk over to you until "she" froze. All of a sudden remembering "her" current situation, you wouldn't even recongnize "her" because of the disguise.

It's not like "she" could walk right up to you without it either "she's" a wanted criminal. And "she" highly doubts you haven't seen "her" actual face on the news.

Yandere! Serial Killer who scans your face with the same precision "she" uses to memorize her victims’ features. But you’re different. You’re not a victim. You’re special. There’s a maturity to you now, a depth that makes "her" want you even more.

Yandere! Serial Killer who bit "her" lips, and decided to take this chance, "she" can’t let you slip away again. Not this time.

Yandere! Serial Killer approaching you and striking up a conversation, "she" felt a familiar shiver down "her" spine when you had stated "she" looked familiar to someone you remembered in high school. Asking if "she" had a brother.

Yandere! Serial Killer who dreamt of this moment over and over finally able to have a real conversation with you, instead of shying away. Feeling very giddy unable to hide "her" excitement.

Yandere! Serial Killer who suddenly felt hot beneath the tight corset, feeling how "her" body betrayed "her". "Her" plush thighs pressed together as "her" mind wandered to places it shouldn’t, not here, not now. The pink lace of her stockings suddenly felt too tight, feeling a familiar pressure between "her" legs.

Pretty manicured fingers gripped the coffee cup a little too tightly as "she" forced "herself" to focus. "She" couldn’t scare you away, not yet.

Yandere! Serial Killer who nearly combusts when you exchange numbers. You think "she’s" just a bubbly, harmless old acquaintance from high school. How could you have known the truth?

Yandere! Serial Killer who as soon as "she" got back home "she" needed to take care of "her" growing problem. "She" couldn’t stop thinking about you. Replay after replay of your conversation danced in "her" mind as "she" stroked herself, soft moans of your name muffled by "her" pillow.

Yandere! Serial Killer who after coming down from "her" high decided on that day "she" won’t lose you again. This time, "she’ll" do it right. "She’ll" worm "her" way back into your life, just like "she" always dreamed of in high school.

Yandere! Serial Killer who becomes your best friend. "She’s" bubbly and sweet, always making you laugh. "She" agrees with everything you say, knows just what you’re thinking before you say it. You’re amazed by how connected you feel to "her"—like "she" knows you better than you know yourself.

You didn’t know it yet, but your other friends were disappearing. They were vanishing. And "she" was collecting their pieces—literally and figuratively.

Yandere! Serial Killer who was thinking about courting you and make "her" feelings known to you, but remembered "she" was playing a character and not as "herself" due to unfortunate circumstances which never fails to piss "her" off.

Yandere! Serial Killer often wondered if you would still like "her" if "she" came clean, wondering if you’d call "her" insane if you found out the truth. Would you turn "her" in? Would you scream? "She" dreams about it sometimes, imagined your tears, your pleas.

Yandere! Serial Killer who finishes stitching up "her" latest "doll" a person who dared flirt with you and sighs. Blood smearing on the cigarette "she" lit, taking a long drag. "Her" mind drifts back to you. The thought of losing you again terrifies "her" more than the police ever could.

Yandere! Serial Killer who finally snaps when "she" stalked caught you going on a date with someone else. The sight of you all dolled up for them. Smiling, and laughing, made "her" heart shatter into a million jagged pieces.

Yandere! Serial Killer's face twists into something hideous, a snarl that looks entirely out of place on the delicate, doll-like face "she’s" crafted. This wasn’t just jealousy—it was betrayal. An ultimate, unforgivable sin.

"You’ll regret this," "she" whispers under "her" breath, "her" voice dripping with venom. "I’ll make sure you never even think about leaving me again."

Yandere! Serial Killer who dragged your mangled unconscious body out of your destroyed car after the brakes mysteriously failed.

Yandere! Serial Killer who immediately got to work, "her" fingers expertly weaving through "her" collection of needles and threads. The crazed grin on "her" lips only widened as "she" stitched up the injuries, "her" blood-streaked hands steady.

Yandere! Serial Killer who smiled when "she" saw your eyes flutter open, the haze of confusion clouding your gaze as you took in your surroundings. Noticing you was sitting on "her" oddly broad lap.

Yandere! Serial Killer who laughed as "she" cooed at you, as you tried to sit up, only to realize how weak you were.

"Aw, don’t overexert yourself, dear," she cooed, "her" voice now much deeper and malicious. "You’ve been through so much already."

Yandere! Serial Killer who cradled you on "her" lap, ignoring your weak protests as you squirmed against "her". You froze when you felt it. A hard, unmistakable pressure pressing against your ass.

Yandere! Serial Killer who’s playful facade cracked as "her" hands reached for "her" pastel wig. "She" tugged it off in one swift motion, revealing short, messy blonde hair. "Her" expression darkened, "her" once-cheerful smile now replaced by something dead.

Yandere! Serial Killer who wordlessly reached into his bra, pulling out the fake silicone breasts with a quick flick of his wrist and tossing them aside like trash. His movements were stiff, irritated, his patience thinning. He stared at you with a mix of boredom and contempt.

Processing how his face was bare, but he was still sadly pretty his androgynous features seemed to have helped him go unnoticed. All the pieces finally clicking together.

"Recognize me now?" he muttered, his voice low, almost a growl. "You should. They’ve been plastering my face all over the news."

Yandere! Serial Killer who motioned toward the table in front of you, a silver platter gleaming under the warm, pink light of the room. Your stomach churned as he lifted the lid with a dramatic flourish, revealing the severed head of the person you’d been seeing.

Yandere! Serial Killer who grinned as your eyes widened in horror, tears streaming down your face as the realization hit you like a freight train. Their severed body parts were arranged grotesquely around it, the intestines draped like an awful decoration. The sight sent a wave of nausea rushing up your throat.

"Thought we’d have dinner together," he said mockingly, "I couldn’t let them come between us, after all."

Yandere! Serial Killer who sweetly kissed your cheek seeing the look of dawning horror on your face. This was pure madness. Your heart hammered in your chest as tears welled up in your eyes.

Now noticing the overwhelming stench of death, sweat, and something sweeter like rot; clung to the air...coming from the dolls around his room. Some were disfigured, their faces distorted, stitched up where the skin had been torn or burned.

The worse part is how stiff you felt gazing at your hand you see your wrists stitched up, lifting you shirt you see large lines long, jagged stitches, crude and uneven.

You realized with sickening clarity...you were another one of his creations.

"You’re mine now," he purred, leaning in so close his breath ghosted over your skin. "And nothing, no one, is going to take you away from me."

[luigiblood]

The Switch 2 Hardware Reveal "disappointment"

I know I shouldn't be bothered for this, but seeing reactions from press and people just somewhat made me angry. There are definitely things to say in how Nintendo may not have revealed enough for sure, like, don't get me wrong about it, I think that's the part that could be debated the most, but I think it's not really worth debating about that too much.

I don't think we are all meant to be marketing video reviewers. Nintendo has showed what they wanted to show, and as far as my reaction is concerned, I think it was okay. Sure they didn't show too much, but I'm still happy to see a Switch 2 that's way more practical than what's currently going on with a clear comparison point. There are things hardware wise that I'm pretty excited for.

But if there's one reaction that I would understand a lot better than "disappointment" it's "nothing", more of the reaction of not really feeling anything because your interest is not on the hardware, it's on the software. You wanna hear about the games instead, and how it would change from the previous system (or not, even), and I think that's way way more understandable and acceptable to me.

Where's the surprise?

But disappointed because nothing was a surprise? I learned all of the leaks, I knew just about everything about the hardware already, and you don't somehow feel some sort of relief of having a proper look? Personally I was pretty content with it even if they didn't show too much and that's the one critic I could repeat many times and would 100% agree with. If that's also the excuse, then here's my question to the press: Why do you share all these leaks all the time?

I am still critical of whole "surprise management" myself. I love surprises too, but what I am interested in is more long term. I personally do not understand how people are suddenly "oh it's just like the leaks" and then somehow that means no reaction? Because the reaction came before the announcement and somehow you don't react when you see it officially? Come on. I don't think this is sane. We're not talking about the plot twist to a story, we're talking about marketing.

The hate was there from the beginning

Also uh… remember when a lot of people hated on the Switch 1 after its reveal? I sure remember the journalists and the tech nerds hating on it. Taking into example the Wii U because that was the last thing around from Nintendo at that moment, but it's happening again with Switch 2, now taking the Switch 1's success as a reasoning. I don't think the previous console was ever a real factor.

Meanwhile a lot of people who were more like me, just gamers enjoying games, were very fans of it and we were certain of its success, and that Nintendo took lessons from the Wii U very darn well. And now people are rewriting history and saying most people were hating on the Switch? Really? Should I remind the absolute success it was at launch? The sales don't speak in their favor.

Nothing has changed. You're dealing with the overarching vision of "experts," which are nothing more than a minority thinking they're the majority.

Where's the revolution?

Sometimes I see a comparison with the Switch 1 Reveal but I just think it's dishonest and really misunderstood. The Switch 1 reveal video was brilliant in conveying us the point of the concept: Having a system that can go between TV, tabletop and portable, with quite a few ways to play. What did you expect from Switch 2 to continue from that? Another revolutionary way to play?

Maybe I am totally missing something, but I always thought of bridging together handheld and TV gaming in one was like, the final gamer dream. Some may say there's more, and that Nintendo should have been able to do something, but for what? For you to complain about the weirdness and also complain for Nintendo to maybe not make much use of it overall? Nintendo has abandoned this way of doing things entirely. I don't have a dream beyond what the Switch did aside from more fancy things that in my opinion aren't required, but I am just happy with what's on my plate too.

Personally I think the Switch is an admission of defeat of the DS and Wii days in retrospect. So they mixed every single relevant technology into one system: We have the regular controllers, we have the accelerometer, the gyroscopes, the touch screen, we still have the weird Nintendo with the IR camera (even though there's almost always something IR in almost every Nintendo system when you think about it for a second), but none of it is forced on you anymore. Everything is now a choice from the devs, and you.

Personally after a lot of analysis I got excited about the Joy-Con Mouse mode. Because I'm weird. I see potential here. More than most people think. I don't think anyone knows the potential of having two mice for a single game. But that's a topic for another time.

Where's the weird Nintendo?

I also heard some worries about the weird Nintendo not really being around but it was never gone in the first place. During the Switch we had many opportunities to see it: Nintendo Labo (we got 4 of them!), Game Builder Garage, Ring Fit Adventure, 1-2-Switch.

The obscure side of Nintendo even peeked a little more than usual: Another Code Recollection, Famicom Detective Club got remakes and even a new game after decades, Endless Ocean Luminous (even if it's apparently not good).

And don't forget the Nintendo Switch Online Playtest Program which showed a very strange concept that I never thought Nintendo would do. And then you add the Alarmo that released a few months ago for NSO subscribers. Don't forget that. Just because it isn't always to your liking, it doesn't mean it's gone.

[nameless-ken]

The Things Better Left Unsaid - Bucky Barnes x Reader

Just an idea that came into my head that I wanted to get out. Debating on if I should do a part two to this. Let me know if I should!

words: 4.2k

warnings: mostly angst and fluff, best friends pining after each other

masterlist

You and Bucky had always been a team, growing up on the same street, your bedroom windows perfectly aligned across from one another. It started with the two of you tapping on the glass with tiny fists, trying to get each other’s attention. Later, it became the flicker of flashlights and shadow puppets against your curtains during late-night talks. By the time you met Steve Rogers in first grade, your trio was inseparable. Steve, small and scrappy, needed the kind of loyalty only you and Bucky could provide. Together, the two of you made sure no one would to mess with him.

Rumors were inevitable. By the time middle school rolled around, your moms were already joking about how you and Bucky were “destined” for each other. “One day, you’ll be Mrs. Barnes,” Bucky’s mom would tease, making you roll your eyes while your cheeks burned. In high school, the rumors took a life of their own. Some kids whispered about you and Bucky being secretly together; others claimed it was Steve. Some even spun stories about the three of you.

Whenever Bucky caught wind of it, he was quick to shut it down. “Platonic soulmates exist, you know,” he’d say, grinning in a way that dared anyone to argue. But it stung more than you’d admit, hearing him say it so definitively, as if he could never think of you as anything but a friend.

Then came sophomore year, when Bucky got into his first real relationship. The rumors died almost instantly, replaced by whispers of envied girls who wished they were in her shoes. For you, it was harder. Bucky, who had always been your partner for Friday night movie marathons and Sunday bike rides into town with Steve, suddenly wasn’t there anymore. He started skipping out on your traditions, forgetting dates and moments that had once felt sacred. Even Steve’s sixteenth birthday—a day you both had planned together since middle school—slipped through Bucky’s fingers. Steve didn’t forgive him easily for that, and neither did you.

When the relationship ended, Bucky came back, knocking on your window one Friday night like no time had passed. You and Steve teased him relentlessly about his absence, but deep down, you were just relieved to have him back. It wasn’t long before everything felt normal again—or as normal as it could be when your feelings for him started to shift.

The memories were countless, small and scattered like pieces of a puzzle that made up your childhood. There was the time in seventh grade when Bucky punched Tommy Matthews for stealing your lunch, even though it got him grounded for a week. Or the summer before high school, when you dared him to climb the old oak tree in your backyard, and he fell, breaking his arm. “Don’t tell Mom,” he’d begged through gritted teeth, laughing even as you panicked.

There were lighter memories, too: sneaking into the corner store for candy, getting caught and sweet-talking your way out of trouble; late-night snowball fights that ended with you shivering in Bucky’s too-big coat; and the time you, him and Steve decided to play hooky from school, spending the whole day reading comics on the roof of Steve’s garage.

But somewhere along the way, things changed. Bucky’s smile started to make your stomach flip, and the way he casually threw an arm around your shoulders as you walked down the school hallways left you buzzing for hours. The worst were the nights when you snuck into his room like you always had, curling up beside him and talking nonsense until the early hours. Those nights, your heart ached with the weight of everything unsaid, knowing it would never be more than this.

Senior year brought it all to the surface. The shared glances that lasted a beat too long, the playful teasing that felt like something more, the way your heart raced every time he called his “doll”. You didn’t mean for it to happen, to fall so deeply for your best friend. But now, as graduation loomed closer, the thought of leaving Brooklyn—of leaving him—was unbearable.

Steve, of course, had known all along. He had a knack for seeing what neither of you could. “You’re both idiots,” he’d scream inside his head, rolling his eyes every time he caught you staring at Bucky like he hung the stars in the sky. He tried everything to get you to confess—little nudges, not-so-subtle hints—but the fear of ruining what you had kept you silent. Bucky, for all his confidence, seemed just as scared.

One evening, as the three of you sat on Bucky’s porch and as the sun set and the street lights flickered on, the weight of the future settled between you. The silence stretched, heavy with words none of you could say.

“I’m gonna miss this,” you said softly, staring at the street you’d known your whole life.

“Me too,” Bucky murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Steve stayed quiet, his head faced the ground as he kicked around a rock. 

You turned and looked at Bucky, searching his face for something—anything—that might give him away. But Bucky, as always, was impossible to read. Instead, he smiled, the same boyish grin that had made you fall for him in the first place.

“Come on,” he said, standing and offering you a hand and patting Steve’s shoulder. “Let’s make one last memory before we grow up.”

And just like that, all three of you were kids again, racing down the street under the glow of the streetlights, holding on to the fleeting magic of everything you couldn��t say.

The night air was crisp as the three of you ran, laughter echoing through the quiet neighborhood. It was like stepping back in time—back to a world where nothing mattered except the moment. Steve led the way, his small frame surprisingly quick, while Bucky stayed close by your side, glancing back to make sure you were keeping up.

“Where are we even going?” you called out as your breathed heavily, not being much of a runner. 

Steve turned around, jogging backward with a mischievous grin. “To the park, obviously! Last one there owes the other two milkshakes!”

“You’re already losing, Rogers!” Bucky shouted, picking up speed and tugging your arm. “Come on, doll, we can’t let him win.”

The nickname made your heart stumble, but you pushed the thought aside, focusing on the sound of your feet hitting the pavement. Bucky’s hand stayed wrapped around yours, warm and steady.

When you finally reached the park, Steve was sitting smugly on a swing, his hands gripping the chains as he swayed lazily. “Looks like I’m getting two milkshakes,” he said, his grin wide.

“You cheated,” Bucky accused, bending over with his hands on his knees, pretending to catch his breath. “Short legs like yours don’t move that fast without some trickery.”

“Maybe you’re just slow,” Steve shot back with a laugh.

You sat on the other swing, the cool metal chains biting into your palms. The park looked exactly as it had when you were kids—the worn-down merry-go-round, the old slide with a dent at the bottom, the same creaky swings where the three of you had spent so many afternoons.

“Remember when Steve dared you to jump off the swings while it was still moving?” you said, looking at Bucky.

He laughed, the sound sent a shiver down your spine. “Yeah, and I ended up with a sprained ankle. Mom grounded me for a week.”

“And you still tried to climb the fence two days later,” Steve added, shaking his head. “You’re lucky you didn’t break your neck.”

“Please, I knew what I was doing,” Bucky said, sitting on the swing next to yours. “Mostly.”

You laughed, the memory warm and familiar. “What about the time we tried to build a treehouse in Steve’s backyard? We didn’t even make it past the ladder.”

Steve groaned, covering his face. “Don’t remind me. My mom was so mad when we nailed those boards to the tree. She said we’d kill ourselves before we even got it halfway up.”

“Good times,” Bucky said, leaning back on his swing, his legs stretching out in front of him. His gaze drifted upward, to the stars peeking through the leaves. “Feels like yesterday.”

“Yeah,” you said softly, following his gaze. “It does.”

The three of you fell into a comfortable silence, the kind that only came with years of knowing each other.

Steve broke the silence, his voice quieter than usual. “You know, no matter where we all end up, this’ll always be home.”

Bucky nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Yeah. It’s gonna be weird, though. Not seeing you guys every day.”

Your chest tightened at the thought. Graduation was supposed to be exciting, but all you could think about was how different everything would be. Steve, with his dreams of art school. Bucky, with his plans to join the military. And you, still unsure of where you fit into the world.

“Hey,” Bucky said suddenly, nudging your arm. “We’ll figure it out. Always do, right?”

You smiled, but it didn’t quite reach your eyes. “Yeah. Always.”

Steve stood, brushing off his jeans. “Alright, enough of this sappy stuff. Let’s go get those milkshakes. And Bucky, you’re paying. I don’t care what you say—I won.”

Bucky groaned, but he followed, muttering something about “rigged games” as the three of you headed back toward the main street. His shoulder brushed against yours as you walked, and for a fleeting moment, it felt like everything would be okay.

But deep down, you knew this night was a goodbye to the way things used to be.

Your room was chaotic. Open boxes were scattered across the floor, half-filled with a mix of clothes, books, and trinkets you couldn’t quite decide whether to keep or leave behind. The walls, once plastered with posters and photos, were bare, the room already beginning to feel like it belonged to someone else. You sat cross-legged in the middle of the mess, holding an old photo of you, Bucky, and Steve from eighth grade.

You sighed, setting the photo down on top of a box labeled Memories. The future was coming on too fast and it felt like you were leaving more behind than you were taking with you.

There was a knock on your bedroom door frame. You looked up to see Bucky standing there, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets.

“Your mom said you might need some help,” he said, his tone light but his eyes soft, searching yours.

You forced a smile, brushing a stray piece of hair from your face. “You’re brave to volunteer. It’s like a war zone in here.”

He stepped in, carefully maneuvering around the boxes. “Guess I better get familiar with it. I’ll be seeing places like that soon.” Bucky tried to joke and failed as your small smile disappeared. 

Bucky ignored it and moved further into your room. He picked up a stack of books, glancing at the spines. “Still got all those Jane Austen novels, huh?”

You rolled your eyes. “Don’t act like you weren’t the one who borrowed Pride and Prejudice and never gave it back.”

He grinned, setting the books down. “What can I say? Darcy’s got some moves.”

The easy banter settled the tension slightly. Bucky crouched next to you, reaching for a smaller box labeled Miscellaneous. As he opened it, his hand stilled, pulling out a small, faded flashlight.

“No way,” he said, his voice almost a whisper.

Your breath caught. You hadn’t seen that flashlight in years. It was the same one he’d used to flash messages to you across the street when you were kids, the one that had started all your late-night talks.

“I can’t believe you kept this,” he said, turning it over in his hands, his thumb brushing against the worn surface.

You shrugged, trying to keep your voice steady. “I guess I couldn’t let it go. It’s… kind of important.”

Bucky looked up at you then, his expression unreadable but intense, like he was trying to memorize your face. “Yeah,” he said softly. “It is.”

The air between you shifted, heavy with everything unsaid. His knees brushed yours as he sat back, still holding the flashlight. You could feel the weight of his gaze, and your heart started to race, a nervous, uneven rhythm.

“Bucky…” you started, but your voice faltered when his hand rested on the floor, so close to yours you could feel the heat of his skin.

“Yeah?” he said, his voice quieter now, his eyes locked on yours.

For a moment, it felt like the world stopped. Everything in your room faded, the only thing you could focus on was him—the curve of his jaw, the way his lips parted slightly like he wanted to say something. You leaned forward just an inch, drawn to him like you always were, the space between you shrinking.

But then he pulled back, just enough to break the moment. He cleared his throat, his hand retreating as he set the flashlight gently back into the box.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” he said, forcing a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

You nodded quickly, blinking away the haze of the moment. “Yeah. Right. Lots to pack.”

The next few minutes passed in silence, both of you busying yourselves with the boxes, avoiding each other’s eyes. But the tension lingered but neither of you brave enough to name it.

When Bucky finally left, hours later, you stood at the window and watched him walk down the sidewalk and up his porch before he disappeared into his house. For a moment, you thought about calling him back, about saying the words that had been on the tip of your tongue all night. But you didn’t. Instead, you stood there, clutching the flashlight in your hands, the weight of everything unsaid pressing heavy on your chest.

The sound of laughter echoed through Bucky’s house. The kitchen was alive with your mom and Bucky’s mom chatting as they prepared trays of finger sandwiches and fruit platters, while Steve’s mom fiddled with the coffee maker, muttering about how much caffeine a morning like this required. The living room buzzed with excitement as younger siblings and cousins darted between the adults.

You stood at the top of the stairs, peering down at the chaos with a soft smile. Bucky’s house had always felt like a second home, and today, with all your families crowded together, it felt just like how it did growing. Your mind drifts off, reminiscing about all the holidays celebrated here, missing the simplistic and nostalgic feelings of those days. 

“Hey, don’t linger. You’re the one who insisted on wearing heels,” Steve teased as he passed you, nudging your shoulder.

You rolled your eyes but followed him down the hall to Bucky’s room, where the man himself was standing in front of the mirror, frowning at his reflection.

“This stupid tassel keeps flipping the wrong way,” Bucky grumbled, swiping at it like it had personally offended him.

“Here, let me,” you said, stepping up to fix it. Your fingers brushed against his shoulder as you adjusted the tassel, and he stilled for a moment before offering a soft “Thanks.”

Steve flopped onto the edge of the bed, adjusting his cap. “Man, this thing is itchy,” he muttered, tugging at the collar of his robe.

Bucky smirked, stepping back to inspect himself in the mirror. “It’s supposed to feel uncomfortable. It’s a reminder that we’re about to enter the real world where everything is worse.”

You rolled your eyes, swatting his arm. “You’re such an optimist, Barnes.”

“Hey, I’m just saying what everyone else is thinking,” Bucky replied with a grin, though his expression softened as his eyes darted between you and Steve. “But seriously… I just wanted to say something before we head out.”

You and Steve both turned to him, the lightheartedness fading away. Bucky hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck as he searched for the right words.

“I’m glad I had you two with me through all of this,” he said finally, his voice quieter than usual. “It hasn’t always been easy, but… I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Couldn’t have made it without you guys.”

Steve, ever the sentimental one, stood and clapped Bucky on the shoulder. “You’ve always had us, Buck. And you always will.”

Your throat tightened as you looked at them both, your best friends who had been by your side through every high and low. “We’re a team,” you said softly. “Always have been. Always will be.”

For a moment, the three of you just stood there, the weight of the day settling over you. It wasn’t just a graduation; it was the end of an era, the closing of a chapter that had defined so much of your lives.

Steve broke the silence first, letting out an exaggerated groan. “Alright, enough of this sappy stuff. Let’s graduate before I start crying.”

You laughed, and Bucky grinned, the tension easing as he reached over to nudge your arm. “Yeah, we can’t have Rogers blubbering in the middle of the ceremony.”

Steve shot him a mock glare. “Don’t push your luck, Barnes.”

The three of you laughed as you headed downstairs, your hand brushing against Bucky’s briefly as you walked side by side. Downstairs, the laughter and chatter of your families wrapped around you like a warm embrace, and for a moment, the future didn’t feel so uncertain.

Today, at least, you had this—your friends, your family, and a shared sense of belonging, that you grasped onto for these fleeting moments. 

The auditorium hummed with energy, a crowd full of proud families and eager graduates filling every seat. The stage at the front was adorned with banners and bouquets in your school colors, the polished wood gleaming under the bright lights.

You filed into your seat with your classmates, the rustle of gowns and the low murmur of voices filling the space as everyone settled in. Bucky was in the first row, his posture relaxed, but the subtle tapping of his foot against the floor betrayed his nerves. Two rows behind him, you gripped the program in your lap like a lifeline, the mix of excitement and bittersweet anticipation settling in your chest. Steve sat three rows behind you, his cap slightly askew as he leaned back in his chair, as he tapped his finger against his thigh, a nervous habit he’s had since forever ago. 

The opening speaker took to the podium, their voice cutting through the loud whispers. Stories were shared, advice was provided, and promises of bright futures were offered. 

It was when your gaze fell to the back of Bucky’s head that you noticed him shift slightly. He turned, just enough to catch your eye, and smiled softly. It wasn’t his usual cocky grin or a teasing smirk—it was the kind of smile that spoke volumes without a single word. A smile that was just for you.

Your breath caught, the tightness in your throat making it impossible to return the smile properly. When he winked, the simple gesture filled you with warmth, mingled with the ache of knowing everything was about to change. You managed a shaky smile before he turned back around, your heart racing throughout the rest of the ceremony. 

One by one, names were called, followed by applause and cheers as each graduate crossed the stage. 

As your name was called, you rose, your legs trembling slightly as you made your way to the stage. The moment felt surreal—hands shaking yours, the weight of the diploma in your hands, the cheers from your family echoing in your ears. As you walked back to your seat, your gaze briefly met Bucky’s again, and the pride in his eyes made your chest tighten all over again.

When the last name was called, the room erupted into applause. The principal gave the final cue as caps flew into the air, a chaotic flurry raining down.

You wove through the groups of familiar faces you’ve spent the last 18 years with, searching for the two people who meant the most to you. Spotting Bucky and Steve wasn’t hard—Bucky stood tall and Steve’s blond head was unmistakable in the crowd.

The three of you collided in a fierce group hug, arms tangling as you held on tight.

“We did it,” Steve said, his voice thick with emotion as he patted both of your backs.

Bucky’s arms tightened around you slightly, his voice soft but firm. “We did it. Together.” His arms lingered around you a fraction longer than they did around Steve, his warmth grounding you amidst the chaos.

The hug broke apart reluctantly as your families swarmed in, their pride radiating in smiles and tears. Cameras flashed, capturing every possible combination of family and friends. Your mom insisted on a dozen different poses—one with Bucky, one with Steve, one with all three of you—and the laughter that spilled out of you made your cheeks ache.

For a little while, the joy of the moment masked the bittersweet ache that had been building all day. But every now and then, your gaze would catch Bucky’s, and the unspoken weight of what came next lingered in the space between you.

For now, though, you held onto this moment—this memory—tightly, unwilling to let it slip away just yet.

Bucky’s backyard was alive with the sounds of celebration. Laughter mingled with the sizzling of the grill, and the sweet aroma of barbecue drafted through the air. Kids darted across the lawn, chasing each other with bubbles and toy airplanes. Parents clustered in small groups, sharing stories and toasting with glasses of wine and bottles of beer.

Your cap and gown hung over the back of a chair near the patio, forgotten for now as you crouched on the lawn. Bucky’s younger sister sat cross-legged beside you, her brow furrowed in concentration as she held up a tiny daisy.

“Do you think this one’s pretty?” she asked, her voice soft and earnest.

“It’s perfect,” you replied, smiling as you took the delicate flower from her and tucked it into the growing crown of wildflowers. 

As the sun started to dip lower, you glanced up, your eyes catching movement near the back door as Bucky slipped quietly through, his broad shoulders hunched slightly. 

Your gaze shifted to Steve, who had been leaning near the grill, chatting with one of Bucky’s uncles. He had noticed too, his easy smile fading as his eyes followed Bucky’s retreating figure. When he caught your eye, he gave a small nod, his expression knowing and a little sad.

You patted Bucky’s sister on the shoulder. “Keep working on this—I’ll be right back.” She nodded, already focused on the next flower.

Standing, you brushed the grass off your knees and headed inside, weaving through the crowded kitchen. You found Bucky in his room, standing by the window with his back to you. The curtains were slightly drawn, framing his silhouette as he stared out at your bedroom window.

“Hey,” you said softly, closing the door behind you.

He didn’t turn, his voice low and distant. “Just needed a minute.”

You stepped closer, careful not to startle him. “Big day,” you tentatively replied

“Yeah,” he muttered, his jaw tightening as he finally glanced at you. His blue eyes, usually so vibrant, were shadowed with worry. “Everything’s changing.”

You nodded, the weight of his words sinking into your chest. “It is.”

He turned back to the window, his hand resting on the sill. “What if it all falls apart? What if… we fall apart?”

The crack in his voice sent a pang through you. You stepped forward without thinking, crossing the space between you and wrapping your arms around him. He stiffened for a moment, caught off guard, but then his shoulders relaxed as he melted into your embrace. His arms wound tightly around your waist, keeping him grounded.

“We won’t,” you said firmly, your voice muffled against his chest. “No matter where we go or where we end up, we’ll always have this. We’ll always have each other.”

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look down at you, his face inches from yours. His expression was a mix of gratitude and something deeper. For a heartbeat, it felt like the world held its breath, the sound of the party outside fading into the background.

Then he smiled faintly, the tension in his features easing. “You’re my best friend, you know that?” he said softly, pressing a kiss to your head.

You returned his smile. “Yeah. You’re mine too.”

He grinned, but there was something in his eyes that made your heart tighten, like he wanted to say more but didn’t. You felt it too, the weight of everything you never said.

And so, instead of confessing all the feelings you had hidden for so long, you shared a quiet moment, wrapped in the understanding that things were changing. You would go your separate ways, but you’d always have this—the memories, the childhood you spent together with Steve, and the unspoken bond that would always tie you to Bucky Barnes.

And for now, this was enough.

[biblical-chronicles]

Marked

_____________________________________________

where Liam's tattoo makes you feel things [18+]

_____________________________________________

Liam hadn’t even dropped his bag properly when you launched yourself into his arms, nearly knocking him over with the force of your excitement. “You’re home!” you exclaimed, your voice muffled against his neck as you hugged him tightly. His familiar scent wrapping around you quickly.

“Alright, love, don’t knock me over.” he chuckled, wrapping his arms around your waist and lifting you slightly off the ground. “Missed me, then?”

“Of course I did,” you replied, leaning back to look at him. His face, though tired from the tour, lit up with a grin that made your chest ache. “You’re never leaving me for that long again, by the way.”

“Is that so?” he teased, setting you down gently. “Guess I’ll have to bring you with me next time.”

“You better,” you said, swatting his arm playfully. “But right now, you’re staying here, and I’m not letting you out of me sight.”

Liam laughed, pulling you in for another kiss, soft and warm, and full of everything he couldn’t put into words. You barely noticed him steering you toward the sofa, but soon enough, you were sitting beside him, your legs draped over his lap.

“I’ve got summat to show you.” he said suddenly, his voice laced with excitement.

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued but wary. “What kind of something?”

“Just... hang on.” he said, starting to fiddle with the waistband of his jeans.

Your eyes widened. “Liam, what the hell are you doing?”

He grinned at your panic but didn’t stop, undoing the button and shimmying the denim down just enough to expose his upper thigh. There, nestled just above the curve of his knee, was your name inked in bold, dark letters.

You stared at it, blinking rapidly as your brain struggled to process what you were seeing. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” you finally said, your voice a mix of disbelief and amusement. “Is that... me name?”

“Yeah,” he said proudly, leaning back like he’d just unveiled the Mona Lisa. “Got it done while we were on the road.”

“Liam,” you said slowly, your hand covering your mouth as you tried not to laugh. “Are you mental? You know that’s permanent, right?”

“’Course I do,” he said, his grin never faltering. “That’s the whole point, innit?”

You stared at him, a mixture of exasperation and affection swirling in your chest. “You realize you’ve tattooed my name on your body forever?”

“Yeah,” he said simply, meeting your gaze. “Just like us. Stays forever.”

Your laugh burst out before you could stop it, and you shook your head, feeling equal parts amused and touched. “You’re unbelievable, you know that?”

“Always aim to please.” he said cheekily, but the sincerity in his eyes softened the moment.

You slid off the sofa and knelt in front of him, pulling his jeans down a little more to inspect the tattoo properly. It was clean and crisp, the lines healed well enough that you could see the detail clearly. Your fingers hovered over it for a moment before you finally traced the edges lightly, still not quite believing it was real.

“You’re an idiot.” you said, though your tone was more affectionate than anything else.

“Maybe,” he replied, his voice low as he watched you. “But I’m your idiot.”

You looked up at him, shaking your head again but smiling. “You know, this is actually kind of sweet. Insane, but sweet.”

He leaned down to kiss you, his lips warm and firm against yours. “Worth every bloody second.” he murmured against your mouth.

You pulled back just enough to look at him, your hand still resting lightly on his thigh. “You’re lucky I love you.” you said, smirking.

“Yeah, I am,” he said, his voice soft but steady. “More than you know.”

Your fingers lingered on the tattoo, brushing over the ink with featherlight touches as if testing its reality. The fact that your name was permanently etched on Liam’s skin sent a wave of warmth through your chest.

“He’s branded himself for you,” a voice in your mind whispered. “Yours.”

You bit your lip, eyes darting to his face. Liam was watching you with a lazy grin, though his cheeks held the faintest hint of a blush, like he knew exactly where your mind was heading. You felt your pulse quicken.

“You know,” you said softly, voice low and thick with intent, “this is kind of hot.”

Liam’s grin faltered for a second, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. “Hot?”

“Mhm,” you murmured, sitting back on your heels and letting your hands slide higher up his thigh. His jeans were still bunched low, and you tugged them further, exposing more of his leg. “You’ve literally got my name on you, Liam. It’s like you’re claiming me... but also like you’re mine.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his confidence wavering under your sudden intensity. “I mean... I don’t mind the idea of bein’ yours, love.” he muttered, voice cracking slightly.

“Oh, I know you don’t,” you teased, smirking as you climbed back onto the couch and straddled his thigh. “But you like being told, don’t you? That you’re only meant for me?”

Liam’s breath hitched, his wide eyes flickering with recognition and something more. His hands twitched on the cushions as if unsure whether to hold onto you or stay obediently still.

“Come on, say it.” you coaxed, straddling him and rolling your hips against his thigh slowly. The fabric of your lingerie creating delicious friction between you two. “Admit it—you like it when I praise you.”

He let out a shaky exhale, his head falling back against the sofa. “Fuckin’ hell,” he muttered, his voice dripping with need. “Yeah, I do... I love it.”

You grinned triumphantly, leaning forward to nip at his jawline before whispering in his ear, “Good boy.”

His hips bucked instinctively, and a deep moan tore from his throat. You laughed softly, a little breathless yourself, and pressed your palms to his chest, keeping him pinned in place.

“You’re so easy to wind up,” you teased, rolling your hips again, a little harder this time, and you couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped your lips.

“Yeah?” Liam rasped, his voice hoarse as his hands finally settled on your hips. His grip was firm, but he didn’t try to control your movements—he let you lead. “S’pose that’s ‘cause you know how to drive me mad.”

“Do I?” you asked, feigning innocence as you ground down harder, picking up a rhythm that had you both panting. “Or is it just that you’re obsessed with me?”

“Both,” he admitted, his voice breaking slightly on the word. His head tilted forward, and his lips ghosted over your neck before he groaned. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous.”

You leaned back, taking off his shirt and dragging your nails lightly down his chest, leaving red trails on his skin. “Look at you,” you murmured, your eyes dark as you took him in. “All flushed and desperate... just for me.”

“Always for you,” he said, his hands trembling slightly on your hips. “Only you.”

The sincerity in his voice made your stomach flip, and for a moment, you paused, leaning down to kiss him deeply. His lips parted eagerly beneath yours, his tongue meeting yours in a messy manner. When you pulled back, both of you were gasping for air.

“You’re so good for me,” you whispered, grinding down harder as your fingers threaded through his hair and tugged gently. “Such a good boy, Liam.”

The praise sent another moan ripping from his throat, and his hands tightened on your waist as his hips bucked involuntarily. “Fuckin’ hell, keep sayin’ that,” he begged, his voice raw with need. “Please.”

You smiled wickedly, leaning close to kiss the corner of his mouth. “Anything for me good boy.” you purred, your words punctuated by another sharp roll of your hips. 

You leaned back, your hips grinding down harder against him as a sly grin spread across your face. Liam’s head tilted back, his neck straining with the effort to keep his composure, though it was clearly a losing battle. His chest rose and fell rapidly, and the flush creeping up his cheeks made him look impossibly vulnerable, completely at your mercy.

“Oh you're so beautiful.” you whispered, your voice low and teasing as your fingers trailed down his chest, playing over the slight sheen of sweat. “All wrecked already, and I’ve barely even started.”

His lips parted, a shaky breath escaping them, but he didn’t respond—he couldn’t. His eyes flickered to yours, dazed and dark with need, silently begging for more.

You let your fingers glide down his arm, grasping his hand gently and raising it to your lips. “You like watching me, don’t you?” you asked softly, your voice carrying a taunting edge as you slowly parted your lips and took two of his fingers into your mouth.

Liam’s eyes widened, and a low moan escaped him as your tongue swirled around his fingertips, wetting them thoroughly. You made a point to hollow your cheeks slightly, dragging his fingers out with an audible pop before kissing the tips. “That’s right,” you murmured, your gaze locked on his. “Good boys don’t look away.”

“Fuckin’ hell,” he rasped, his voice hoarse as his hips bucked beneath you again. “You’re unreal.”

You grinned at his reaction, leaning forward until your lips brushed his ear. “Unreal, huh?” you teased, your breath hot against his skin. “And yet, here I am, and you're mine.”

“Yours.” he echoed, the word breaking into a desperate groan as your hips ground down harder. His hands moved higher to hold your waist, trying to steady you—or himself—but you swatted them away.

“Ah, ah,” you scolded, smirking as you sat up straighter. “Hands to yourself, Liam. You don’t touch until I say so.”

The sharp command sent a shudder through him, and his hands dropped obediently to his sides, gripping the cushions as if to keep them from wandering. “You’re bloody killin’ me.” he muttered, his voice deliciously strained.

You laughed softly, leaning down to kiss him, slow and steady, your tongue teasing his before pulling back. “Oh, love,” you murmured, your thumb brushing over his lower lip. “We’re just getting started.”

Without warning, you spat lightly into his open mouth, watching as his eyes widened in shock before darkening further. “Swallow.” you commanded, your voice firm, and he obeyed without hesitation, his throat bobbing as he did. “Good boy.”

Liam just moaned, and you felt his thighs tense beneath you, the sheer effort of holding back driving him to the brink. “Please,” he begged, his voice raw. “Need you so bad.”

You hummed thoughtfully, as if considering his plea, before reaching down to drag the lace of your panties aside. The feel of his length, hot and throbbing against your core, sent a shiver up your spine, and you couldn’t resist rolling your hips against him once more. “You need me, huh?” you whispered, your tone dripping with mock sympathy. “Then beg for it.”

“Please,” he repeated, his voice breaking as his hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Please, love, let me feel you. I’ll do whatever you want—just need you.”

His desperation was quite intoxicating, and you couldn’t resist teasing him a moment longer. “Good boy,” you purred, taking off his underwear and guiding him to your entrance with deliberate slowness. “Now, let’s see if you can be as good as you sound.”

The moment you sank down onto him, a moan tore from his throat, and his head fell back against the cushions, his eyes squeezing shut. The stretch and fullness made your own breath hitch, and for a moment, neither of you moved.

“Eyes on me,” you commanded, your fingers gripping his jaw and forcing him to look at you. “I want to see that pretty face when I ride you.”

Liam’s gaze locked on yours, his pupils blown wide with lust, and he nodded, captivated. “Y-Yeah,” he stammered, his voice shaking. “Anything for you, love.”

With a wicked grin, you began to move, setting a pace that had you both moaning in tandem, the sound of your bodies meeting filling the room. “That’s it,” you murmured, your fingers digging into his chest. “Take it like a good boy that you are.”

You rocked against Liam’s lap, the friction and heat building, every movement drawing gasps and moans from both of you. His hands gripped your hips tightly, though he still let you control the rhythm, his face a mix of pleasure and vulnerability as you moved.

As you leaned closer, you cupped his flushed face in your hands, forcing him to look at you again, your lips hovering just inches from his. “You’re so beautiful, Liam,” you murmured, your voice low and reverent. “Do you even realize what you do to me? Those eyes… that smile. It’s not fair.”

Liam’s lips parted in a shaky gasp, his pupils blown wide as he held your gaze, his chest heaving. “Fuck,” he whispered, his voice breaking slightly. “You… you’re…”

“Perfect,” you interrupted him, your thumb stroking his cheek as your hips rolled harder, grinding against him. “You’re perfect, Liam. The way you look at me, the way you touch me… no one even comes close to you. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I didn’t even know I needed.”

His breath hitched, his hands trembling slightly against your skin as he gripped you harder. His hips bucked up, and the desperation in his movements made you smile. “That’s me good boy,” you whispered, leaning down to press your lips to his ear. “Taking it so well. So good for me.”

His hands slid up your sides, his fingers finally digging into your waist as he let out a low moan. “I love you.” he rasped, his voice hoarse and uneven.

You pulled back slightly, your hands trailing down his chest, your nails lightly scratching over his skin, leaving faint red lines behind. “You deserve this,” you said, your voice soft but firm. “All of it. You deserve to feel good, Liam. You deserve everything. I love you so much.”

His lips trembled as he tried to respond, but all that came out was a choked moan, his head tipping back against the cushions as his eyes fluttered shut. You leaned down, pressing kisses along his jawline, his neck, and the column of his throat, savoring the way his body reacted to every touch.

“You’re the best, Liam,” you murmured between kisses, your lips brushing against his heated skin. “The way you take care of me, the way you’re always there for me… you don’t even realize how incredible you are, do you?”

He let out another broken sound, his hands sliding down to your thighs as his grip tightened, his breathing ragged. “Love… you’re… fuck,” he stammered, his voice cracking with emotion and need.

“Shh,” you whispered, bringing a finger to his lips. “I know. I know, love. Just let me take care of you.”

You shifted slightly, your movements more deliberate now, grinding down against him, his body jerking beneath you as a desperate moan sounded from his throat. His hands flew to your hips again, trying to slow you down, but you weren’t having it.

“Don’t hold back,” you said firmly, leaning closer so your lips were barely brushing against his. “I want to hear you. Every single sound. Don’t you dare hide it from me.”

The command made him groan loudly, his hands trembling as they slid up your thighs. “Fuckin’ hell,” he muttered, his voice wrecked. “You’re too much, love. Can’t handle it.”

“Yes, you can,” you countered, pressing a kiss to his lips before pulling back to meet his gaze. “Because you’re mine, Liam. My good boy. Aren’t you?”

His response was just a breathless, “Yeah. Yours. Always.”

You smiled, your fingers trailing down to his lips, pressing two of them into his mouth. “Good boy,” you said softly, watching as his eyes widened slightly, his tongue brushing against your fingers. “That’s it. Just like that.”

The sight of him completely at your mercy, his face flushed and his eyes dark with need sent a fresh wave of heat through you. “Look at you,” you murmured, your voice full of admiration as you began to ride him harder. “So beautiful. So perfect.”

His moans grew louder, unrestrained, filling the room as your praises poured over him. “Fuck, love,” he managed to say, his voice shaking. “I… I love you so fucking much.”

You paused for a moment, your chest tightening as you looked down at him. “I love you too.” you whispered, leaning down to kiss him, your hands framing his face as you poured every ounce of your emotion into it.

His hands gripped your hips tightly, anchoring you to him as your bodies moved together in perfect harmony. Each shift of your hips drew a sharp gasp or a deep moan from him, his head falling back slightly as his eyes locked onto yours, full of unrestrained vulnerability and passion.

“Fuck,” Liam rasped, his voice trembling with raw emotion and pleasure. “Love… you’re… you’re everything.”

You leaned in closer, your forehead brushing against his. “So are you,” you whispered, your voice shaking as your movements became more desperate, grinding against him with increasing urgency. “I mean it, Liam. No one—no one—comes close to you.”

Your words seemed to spur him on, his hips bucking up to meet yours, his grip on you tightening as his breathing became more ragged. “You’re too good,” he muttered, his voice breaking as his head tilted back. “Too fuckin’ good.”

“And you’re perfect,” you countered, leaning down to nip at his jaw, your teeth scraping lightly against his skin before soothing the spot with your tongue. “My perfect, most beautiful boy.”

The praise sent a shiver through him, and he let out another moan, his hands sliding up to cup your waist as his body tensed beneath you. The sound of his pleasure pushed you closer to the edge, your pace quickening as your nails dug into his chest, leaving faint crescents in his skin.

“Liam,” you moaned, your voice thick with need. “I’m so close.”

“Me too, love,” he choked out, his voice barely a whisper. “Fuckin’… can’t hold it…”

You leaned forward, your hands framing his face as you forced him to look at you, your gaze locking onto his. “Let go, Liam,” you murmured, your voice a mix of a plea and a command. “With me.”

With a final roll of your hips, the tension that had been building finally snapped, a wave of pleasure crashing over you as you cried out his name. Liam followed moments later, his body shuddering beneath yours as his moans filled the room. His hands clutched at you desperately, pulling you closer as you both rode out the waves together.

As the pleasure faded, you collapsed against him, your forehead resting against his shoulder as you both struggled to catch your breath. Liam’s arms wrapped around you tightly, his lips pressing soft, reverent kisses to the top of your head.

For a few moments, the room was silent save for the sound of your mingled breathing. Finally, you lifted your head, your fingers tracing over the sweat-dampened skin of his chest. “Well,” you said, your voice soft and teasing, “I think it’s only fair that I tattoo your name on me now. Right?”

Liam let out a breathless laugh, his hand coming up to cup your cheek as he grinned at you. “Don’t be daft,” he said, though his eyes sparkled with affection. “But… if you’re serious…”

You laughed, leaning down to kiss him again, soft and lingering. “We’ll see,” you murmured against his lips. “I just might be.”

_____________________________________________

hope you lot enjoyed this little piece of media xx

big thanks to @shes-thunderstormssss for the wonderful idea, was a pleasure to scribble down, can't wait to hear what you thought x

love ya all !!

[tophat-69]

it's the good, defining itself

Following the events of the series finale, Viktor saves Jayce by sending him back in time and across realities to the night everything changed, and unwittingly revives himself as well. Viktor is determined to undo his past mistakes even if that means leaving Jayce behind. That idea is complicated by their souls now being intertwined. And fate isn’t done with them yet.

Read it on AO3

Length: 92.4k words (complete)

Rating: Explicit

Relationships: Jayce Talis/Viktor, background Silco/Vander

Tags: Post-Canon Fix-It, Soulmates, Dream Sharing, Time Travel/Alternate Universe, Zaun Revolution, Angst with a Happy Ending, Mental Health Issues

Warnings: Sexually Explicit Content, Canon-Typical Violence, Canon Disability, Discussion of Mortality, Canon Suicidal Ideation

Author's Note: I wrote this by putting out a chapter a day for 22 days as I went from the holiday break, to the flu, to pneumonia. I'm still not entirely sure how that happened and I'm pretty sure it was a fever dream. That could, however, still be the pneumonia talking.

Read if you want Viktor being adopted into the Zaun crew by force, ending up mentoring Powder and Ekko, while also fighting for Zaun's independence and figuring out that maybe yes Jayce is in love with him despite the whole destroying-the-world thing.

Excerpt Below Cut

It’s a strange thing to consider, how a body can be shredded to its base components and reduced back to the stardust from whence they all came. How a soul can be disassembled, thoughts and dreams and ambition boiled down to a single spark. 

How time and space are human constructs, imposed by simple mortals to make sense of the endless dream they’re all merely players within.

It’s stranger still that Jayce Talis recognizes the feeling of his atomization well enough to identify it the moment it begins. He was expecting it when he took Viktor’s hand, but not the peace that came with it this time. Standing in the belly of the Hex Gates, it had been terrifying to find himself unraveling. Now he finds it almost romantic how their edges fray and clear the arbitrary boundaries between them.

Jayce would have been content with scattering into oblivion. He’d accepted that his end was near, and to reach it with a man he long ago discovered was the other half of his soul… that was better than he could have dreamed. 

Jayce knows that they’re both thinking it, can feel Viktor alighting on the same bleak humor as Jayce does, attuned and enmeshed as they bleed into each other. This is another precipice that they are perched at the edge of, this time together. It is the beautiful and ironic bookend to two doomed lives that they each separately contemplated ending, just to be pulled back by the other.

There are no divides between them. He can feel Viktor’s resignation to his failure, his relief at finding a peaceful end to a life of pain, his dreamer’s idealism that twisted with the power that consumed him, his guilt at the losses that he caused, his fear of oblivion, and above it all the boundless affection that thrums between them, matched and merging with Jayce’s own devotion. But as warm as it feels suffusing them both as their souls ebb with their consciousness, it’s the last of those emotions that is so dangerous. 

Jayce, who couldn’t let his partner go regardless of the cost and the promises broken, recognizes that a moment too late. 

He can feel when a sharp frisson of intent sizzles suddenly through the blurred boundary between them.

Viktor has always been focused and directed, fierce and driven, so unhesitating that even his most rational choices seem impulsive. But there is intention in everything that Viktor does. He is a man of science that alights on epiphanies in brilliant flashes of genius, and a man of action who’s always raced against time.

For not the first time, Jayce finds himself fatefully a step behind.

Viktor, don’t…

Viktor’s intangible hand thrusts through the misty dissolving cage of Jayce’s ribs, grasping the spark of Jayce’s soul the way he once seemed to cup the whole world in his palm. For Jayce. Always for Jayce.

Viktor’s eyes burn golden, now a mere impression in the yawning expanse of space, twin stars. A single pulse of determination fuses Jayce back into consciousness even as his body fades away. 

Viktor’s voice is an ethereal whisper in Jayce’s thoughts as light blazes through the darkness of space like a supernova. 

Live, Jayce. 

Read the Rest on AO3

[cathwritestragediesnotsins]

Posting drafts

Bakugou x reader

“Katsuki! What the hell happened?”

The current number 2 hero stood just outside the doorway of my apartment, hunched over, one hand gripping his side in pain and the other clutching the doorjamb to keep himself upright.

“Oh my god, did you just come from a fight?? Why aren’t you at the hospital??”

I reached for him even as I scolded him with my words, trying to help keep him upright while also ushering him into my apartment but he stopped me, pushing my hand away gently.

“Y/n…..” he said my name so softly, with such vulnerability. His head was tilted towards the floor so I couldn’t see the look on his face, but it almost sounded like he was…crying?

He lifted his head to look at me then, his face now inches from mine due to the way he towered over me. I was right, his crimson eyes shone with unshed tears.

“I haven’t done it yet, I haven’t become the number one hero. But I….I thought for a moment I wasn’t going to make it out….and there’s still so much I need to tell you.”

He was speaking so pleadingly, I wasn’t used to this side of him. Sure he had opened up to me before, but I’d never seen the look in his eyes right now before. Like he was begging.

“Kats, what are you talking about? We need to get you help. You’re still bleeding.” I try to reason with him, but I know it’s useless. Whatever it is he’s trying to say he has decided he wants to say it now. And if there’s one think I know about Bakugou Katsuki, it’s that when he’s decided something he makes it happen.

“Just wait dammit” he grits out between clenched teeth. This is the Katsuki I’m familiar with: all harsh words and biting tone. But it’s a weak attempt.

“I promised myself, that one day, when I was number 1, when I was worthy, I would ask you to be mine. I’m breaking that promise now, because I realize that I was fucking stupid. All this time spent waiting, I should’ve just told you how I felt.” His fist clenches against the doorway in frustration. “I thought, if I proved I was better than that dumbass Izuku that you would choose me. But I don’t want to wait anymore.”

My mind is reeling trying to take in his words as well as the fact that the man I love is bleeding on the carpet of my apartment building. I open my mouth to speak but it takes a moment for my brain to form the words.

“Izuku? What? What do you mean?”

He scoffs then, lowering his head again. “You know that idiot is in love with you right?…..we both are.”

Love. Izuku….and Katsuki….are in love with, me?

“Katsuki, stop messing around…” I say, but I know he’s not.

He lifts his head so he’s eye to eye with me again, it looks like it takes more effort this time which concerns me.

“Dumbass” his eyes are soft as they look into mine. “You didn’t know?”

My eyes are filling with tears and I’m not quite sure why. I think back on everything, all of our interactions.

“You…love me?” I say, needing to hear him say the words outright to be able to believe them. Afterall, this isn’t just my Katsuki, this is the number 2 hero in all of Japan, one of the most popular celebrities in the world for his looks and passion.

“Yes.” He says quietly. “I love you Y/n. I always have.” He looks so resolute as he says it. Still vulnerable and broken, but also determined.

I don’t even think about it before I’m reaching to cup his jaw in my hands and pulling him into me. And then I’m kissing him. He’s kissing me. After all this time, waiting, pining, I am kissing Bakugou Katsuki. And he’s kissing me back with just as much passion and urgency.

I try to pull back after a moment, suddenly remembering the situation we’re in, but his lips chase mine. He steps forward into me and captures me into another kiss. I make a noise of disagreement in the back of my throat and place my hands on his chest to push him back. By that time we’re both breathless.

“Kats, you’re bleeding.” I remind him.

He laughs and cracks a mischievous smile at me “It’s not my blood”

I look at him in blank shock for a moment before wrinkling my nose and pulling away “ew oh my god that’s worse”

His chuckle turns into a full blown cackle at my disgust. I glare at him as he laughs until he winces and grips his side.

“Alright, you might not be bleeding but you still need medical attention” I chastise him, motioning to where his arm was still cradling his abdomen.

“Calm down princess” he says, smirking fondly at me once again. “I already checked in with the EMTs after the fight, just a few bruised ribs. They put me on leave for a week.” His hand comes up to cup my cheek like I had done to him moments ago. “You should see the other guy.”

I roll my eyes at his cocky attitude but I can’t help smiling as well.

“So,” he pulls me in so that our foreheads are resting against each other. “Can I take that as an ‘I love you too’?”

I nod, his ash blond hair tickling the crown of ny head as I do so. “Yes. I love you too Katsuki.”