#and then it finally released me for a while and i forgot about i'm sure it probably exists by now but

[tiredassmage]

YOU.

YOU SLIPPERY LITTLE SHIT PIECE OF IMPERIAL AGENT DIALOGUE. You have been on my mind since Digging Deeper dropped and I have FINALLY found you!!!

Dw Tyr and him still get along like oil and water and this still ended with Tyr pulling a blaster on a Sith like that’s ever been a reliable solution but. I can die in peace now.

[hoseokslefteyebrow]

Home || N.K ||

Nanami Kento isn't sure how he ended up here, in this happy little kitchen.

A small content smile is settled on his face as he watches you, the love of his life, move about your shared kitchen, in your shared house.

Beside him, Gojo, who had invited himself and his first year students over at his place, was talking to him. The man was as animated as ever, and although Kento is listening, his full focus isn't in the action. Part of it is on you, like it always is.

Naturally, you and Yuuji have hit it off easily. The kid was naturally extroverted after all, and you warmed up quickly to him. You seem to get along with Nobara as well. Currently, the two of them are bantering about something, while you watch, amused. You and Megumi already know one another. You've met the very first time Megumi had been dragged to Jujutsu Tech by Gojo, and you've always been sweet to him.

Usually, Kento would join you in the kitchen. Neither of you could get along with anyone else in the confines of the kitchen space, but the two of you never had any issue, often wordlessly throwing something together to eat.

What he does know for certain, is that all of this is thanks you to you.

February, 2008

" You- what?" 

Nanami Kento is staring down at you with wide eyes. You're a year below him, and your question has completely caught him off guard.

" I'm- I'm asking you on a date!"

Those were not the words you previously used Originally, you had asked for his number. You don't seem to back down, your pretty eyes blinking up at him as you eagerly wait for his answer.

Meanwhile Kento still can't comprehend it. You like him? Of all students around? Him? 

Kento blinks, his mouth slightly open as he takes your words in. He's seen you around before. You were a fierce little thing. You were amazing in hand to hand combat (apparently due to your unique upbringing) and your cursed energy seemed to materialize in very real flames. You were pretty too, he finally noted. He likes your eyes, and the shape of your face, lips. The piercings in your ears were cool too.

He hadn't expected this, and it seems like he forgot to answer as you lean away from where you had been boldly leaning into his personal space, cocking your head with a pout on your lips.

" It's fine if you don't like me, you know? You don't need to feel forced to go on a date with me. It's alright if you don't want to. I can handle rejection."

" No- I- I just.. didn't expect it.- But yes, I'll go on a date with you." 

He smiles slightly at you, a blush on his face. Truly, he has no idea what you're seeing in him. In his own eyes, he's much too skinny to be considered attractive enough to be boldly asked out like this. Especially by someone as pretty as you. However, he doesn't complain, blushing as he types his number in your phone.

-

The date doesn't happen. At least, not for a long time. It was supposed to happen, but then him and Haibara are sent on a mission, a few cities away.

Currently, he's sat in his room. It's been a few days since he's back, but he can't sleep. He doesn't want to close his eyes, afraid of reliving the moment over and over again.

Sighing, he gets out of bed. He doesn't feel bothered enough to change out of his pajamas. Instead, he puts on some slippers, and heads out of the dorms in favor of some fresh air.

It's late on a weekday, so he doesn't expect anyone to be awake right now.

He sighs, closing his eyes as he loses himself in the darkness of his thoughts and memories. He's seated on the steps of the dorms outside. The lower half of his face pressed into his palm, the expression on his face bothered.

" Can't sleep?" 

Kento breath stutters, his hands reaching for the blade he doesn't carry with him currently.

Your eyes widen, bringing your hands up as you shake them, along with your head.

" Woah, sorry!- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up on you. I just forget that my footsteps are silent sometimes."

He releases a breath, running a hand through his hair as he looks back at the night sky.

" It's alright." 

He expects you to take it as a sign to silently shuffle away. You surprise him however, sitting down beside him. Your body is close, yet not too close. A reminder that you're there. You're silent, a stark contrast to how loud he's seen you be with your classmates. The silence between the two of you is a little awkward, though for a moment, he leaves it be. You don't seem to be too bothered by it after all.

" I'm sorry I didn't reply to your messages. "

You turn to him, blinking in surprise. Now that he's seeing you again, he does feel a bit guilty about it. The two of you had been messaging for a few hours every day since you've asked him out. However, de did ignore you after things went downhill during his mission. He didn't have the energy to talk to anyone.

Slowly, your hand comes closer, and then your warm hand is on top of his cool shoulder.

" Don't worry about it. You've had more troublesome things going on after all."

Your touch is comforting. He hadn't expected it to be. You're surprisingly gentle.

He studies you for a moment. There's a kind, easy smile on your face that lets him know everything is alright.

" I'm also sorry about our date."

You shake your hand, bringing your hand in your lap again as you face the night sky.

" It's okay. We can always do that another time. I can be patient, so don't worry about it."

He glances at you, taking you in. You're caring. It's sweet. 

He turns his head, also gazing at the night sky once more.

" How come your footsteps are so quiet? I've never had anyone sneak up on me before. " 

You laugh softly at that, a cheeky smile on your face.

" I grew up in a temple, with other orphans. We're raised by monks. In between certain times, we wouldn't be allowed in the kitchen to eat snacks during the day. My siblings and I sneaked in anyway. I think the footsteps lasted because,, well.. a lot of practice."

You grin at the fond memory.

" I see. I didn't know you were an orphan. I'm sorry, that must be pers-" 

" It's alright. I never minded it. I've been raised with a lot of love and care, so I don't really care. I think I was brought there because my mother was too young to have me. I don't really remember the details." 

Your story surprises him. He had not expected that. At all. However, it does explain how you manage to get along with a lot of different people.

For a good few moments, silence overtakes the both of you again. Kento finds himself enjoying the time he's spending with you. There's no need to talk. No need to say anything in order to enjoy each other's company.

After a moment, you yawn.

" Why are you awake at this hour?"

" I got carried away while watching my series- Wanna watch a movie?"

You've turned to him, smiling widely.

" What? Where?"

" Don't get me wrong. It's not a date. This isn't the proper moment for that- but, at my dorm. My dorm room's closest to the door, so we can easily sneak you in and out."

You're grinning.

" I don't believe that's proper, Y/N."

" Awe, don't overthink it. I've done it with my siblings a lot of times too. Even when I've only known them for a few months.-"

" But I'm not one of your sibling Y/N, for all we know I might be your future husband."

That silenced you, your cheeks tinting pink. Kento has to catch himself too, clearing his throat. He opens his mouth to say something, probably to take his words back, but you're quick to speak, not allowing him to change his previous words.

" But then, does it really matter?"

Your blush intensifies, as does his own.

He doesn't know how, but nearly ten minutes later, the two of you are squeezed on your bed, your laptop open in front of you. Originally, Kento tries to keep a formal distance, but you're too close. Your touch is too comforting, and neither of you can help yourselves as you cuddle up together.

Eventually, he finally falls asleep. His sleep dreamless, finally at peace in the comfort of your arms.

The next morning, he finds himself entangled in your arms, and although he's blushing, he can't find it in himself to mind. You're still sleeping. He glances at the clock, he notices that it's now 5 am. The perfect time to sneak back towards his own dorm. However, in the warmth of your embrace,  bundled up together under the covers, he can't find the will in himself to move. Smiling softly, he presses a shy kiss to the top of your head, before returning to his comfortable position.

He'll make sure to take you on that date once he's feeling better.

Present day

He's glad to say that he's taken you out on that date, and many others. He's happy he eventually got down on one knee and asked you to marry him before either of you were even financially ready.

Kento had been certain that he'd marry you. He was proud to have called you his fiance for a long time, but much happier when he got to officially address you as his wife.

Kento loves you for every time you've stood by him, for every night you held him during those tough times, for not giving up on him when stupid arguments happened between the two of you.

Meanwhile, Gojo had stopped talking. At this point, he's just dumbly smiling at Kento, who's wrapped up in his own thoughts.

Nobara and Yuuji had stopped bantering as well. Only you and Megumi seemed to still be busy with making dinner. ( All three wanted to help, but it was really Megumi who was doing most of the work with you.)

Gojo grins, catching Yuuji's eye and signaling Kento's love eyes for his wife. Yuuji nods.

Meanwhile, Kento seems to have snapped out of it, raising a brow as he turns to face his colleague. 

" Wha-"

" Woah Nanamin, you're whipped!"

[reiderwriter]

hii!!! so i was wondering if you could do a one shot that’s inspired by either false god by taylor swift where spencer and reader are just worshiping each other? thank you <3

Hi! I'm not much of a swiftie, so I've never heard that song before I sat down to write this but it was perfect inspiration for a fic! I hope you enjoy it 💕

Warnings: Case details mentioned, typical CM violence, angst-adjacent confrontation with happy ending, hurt/comfort, heavy petting, oral (F receiving), squirting (implied), vaginal sex, implied creampie (no birth control mentioned). 2.2k words. Based on:

It was when the door to your hotel room slammed shut that you knew there was finally going to be a confrontation. Combing a hand through your hair, you threw your bag down and turned to look at Spencer. He stood there, just watching you from the door, his jaw tense as he struggled to break the silence and actually talk to you the way you knew he wanted to. 

“Spit it out, Spencer. If you’re going to push your way in here, you might as well say what you want to say.” You were frustrated and his silence was only making the fatigue from a day on a tough case worse. “Come on, Spencer, I don’t have all day.” 

“Do you want to die?” His voice held steady when he finally let out the words, and they hit you like a succer-punch. “Because what I saw out there today seemed like someone more than happy to put themselves in harm's way for no reason.” He stepped closer to you as he said the words, and you felt yourself grow hot. You just weren’t sure if it was from shame or anger. 

“Don’t profile me, Reid. I knew what I was doing.” You turned your back on him and began to go about your business, hoping that he would drop it and vacate the room as quickly as he’d stormed in. 

“You tried to take a bullet for me. Y/N, I was in the middle of talking him down, and you pushed me out of the way and forced his hand.” 

“So will the thank you card be delivered in the post, or can I expect it on my desk tomorrow?” You still wouldn’t make eye contact with him, thinking back to the events of the day. 

You’d known the plan all along was to have Reid talk the suspect down while you got his last victim to safety. Everything in the profile pointed towards the unsub being a loner, someone with narcissistic personalities who you knew wouldn’t end up shooting his way out. Someone that had acted with a cold violent misogyny in his crimes, and someone who would not respond well to a female agent trying to get through to him. You knew all that and you still couldn’t help yourself. 

“In this world of ours, Agent, men like you and I should be Gods. It’s my right to take that power for myself,” the man had said, holding his hostage in his arms as if she were a ragdoll, carefully watching every movement you and your team made. Morgan and Emily had the back entrances covered should he try to run, and Hotch, Rossi and JJ were coordinating with the backup SWAT team outside, should he gain any miniscule upper-hand in the situation. 

It was when Reid started talking to him again that you felt the bile rise in your throat and your body stop listening to your rational thoughts. He was giving the man everything he wanted to hear; stroking his ego, complimenting him, agreeing with him, and the man was responding as well as you could hope. 

But something was wrong, and it was clear from the moment that he levelled his gun in the direction of Spencer and released the female victim that something was about to go horribly wrong. 

“I think I was wrong, actually. We both cannot be Gods, can we?” He laughed as he said this, and you froze up instantly. Your only regret was probably that you forgot to go and check on the victim sitting on the floor, your eyes watching on in horror instead as your body through itself in front of Reid just as the unsub was ready to pull the trigger. 

The push had knocked the two of you off-balance. But the unsub was slack-mouthed and caught off-guard. He hadn’t even pulled the trigger yet, and now here the two of you were sitting pretty for him on the floor of his dump site waiting for him to put a bullet through your brains. He didn’t have the chance to, the SWAT sniper getting the orfer to open fire the second you’d strayed from protocol. 

Spencer still hadn’t left your room, his anger and frustration rolling off of him in waves. You moved about the room in an organized frenzy, completing your nightly rituals with as much obvious frustration as you could muster. You dropped your gun and badge on the nightstand, pulled off your jacket and mindlessly rooted through your bag looking for nothing in particular, praying that Spencer would walk out of the door and not force you to face your stupid decisions. 

Instead he grabbed your wrists, spinned you around and pushed you against the wall, forcing your eyes to meet with his as he pinned you there. 

“Stop fucking ignoring me,” he growled out in a low-voice. The sudden burst of movement had you both gasping for breath and you just stood there quietly again for a few seconds, breathing each other. You gave in first and rested your head against the wall, letting him force your eyes up to meet his.

“Ask me the question you really want the answer for, Reid. Because we both know I’m not suicidal.” 

“Why won’t you let me keep you safe?” his voice came out in a small whimper now, his body weight slowly pressing up against yours as he moved to rest his forehead on your head. The two of you stood there suspended in time, just lost in the feel of each other, the pressure and the heat from his body in contrast to the sharp cool of the wall at your back, and you silently begged him to make a move. But he was determined to get you to answer, holding his tongue when all you wanted him to do was crash his lips against yours and help you to fill yourself with him. 

“Because I do not want to be safe in a world without you,” you finally confessed. He lasted only a few seconds with that answer hung between you before he gave you what you wanted. 

His lips were cracked and dry but he was warm and sweet and you instantly received him, desperate to pull him so close that he could never leave. Your lips crashed together again and again, as if desperate to stretch your first kiss into your first ten, twenty, one hundred. He dropped your wrists after an eternity, only to greedily run his hands up and down your waist, snaking around you so tight that you gasped and let his tongue in. 

He explored you with his entire body, his mouth pressing into you messily his hands roaming desperately trying to map the plains of your body, like knowing you would be his salvation. You did the same, gripping his sweater with balled up fists and forcing him closer into you, unwilling and unable to let him move away. 

He gently walked you to the edge of the bed, not straying from his ministrations for even a second, until the backs of your knees hit the edge of the bed, and you were falling. But he was falling with you, and so you didn’t care, 

He finally pulled away from you then, raising himself up onto his arms and looking down on you like you’d personally put the stars in the sky. 

“Have you ever stopped to think for a second that I’d hate any world without you in it as well?” Shifting his weight, he bought his hand down to cup your cheek, then let his finger ghost over your neck and down to the swell of your breasts as he moved to undo each button of your blouse tantalisingly slow. 

“Give me the word, and I will worship you. I will show you exactly what you mean to me. Just give me the word and I will let you know peace.” You whimpered out a breathy ‘yes,’ and he was on you again in seconds, with a renewed passion. 

Your blouse was discarded in seconds as his tongue traced its way down to your breasts in sloppy open-mouthed kisses, and still the only sound that filled the room was your desperate pants. Your hips rolled up against his as he pulled you up to discard your bra, his tongue finally landing on your painfully erect nipples. He tweaked and teased, moving between them languidly, and you were content to have him stay there forever. 

He obviously had further plans though, and he moved lower still, kissing down to your navel and lifting your hips just enough for you to shimmy them down your legs and discard them quickly. And then there he was, just sat with his head resting in between your legs, pressing sweet kisses to the insides of your thighs and looking deeply into your eyes as he worked his way closer and closer to your core. 

Your panties were slick to your skin, so when he made his first drag of his tongue up your slit, it was with the beautiful added friction of the lace against you. He buried his face in your core then, and started licking and sucking and devouring you like a man starved, like you were nectar from the heavens and your attentions could grant him immortality. 

Even with the panties interrupting any direct contact, you could feel your need for him bubble up to your boiling point, and you squeezed your thighs around him, suffocating him in your first release. He pulled your legs apart again, taking the time to remove your panties now before pinning your legs apart again and returning to his last supper. 

He sucked, nipped, kissed you again, one hand pressed firmly against your hips to pin you down as you bucked and writhed in your sensitivity. His face was slick with your juices, as he thrust his tongue in and out of you now, using his nose to press into your aching clit. 

He worked tirelessly, desperate to shower you with all the attention he wanted to give you, and you gasped and moaned and whined back to him, like a goddess whispering affirmations in the ears of her most devout follower. 

It was understandable when your second orgasm hit, then, and he found himself flooded with your juices, doing his best to ride you through this time and taking in as much of you into his mouth as possible. When he finally pulled away, your legs were twitching and your eyelids heavy, but with your remaining strength, you cupped his cheeks and bought his face up to yours. He face glistened with your cum, his lips now plump and shining, and you pulled him down to you, aching with the desire to taste yourself on his tongue. 

“I’m going to keep you safe and hold you like this until you understand that I am not capable of living without you, do you understand?” he whispered in your ear when he finally pulled away, and you let the tears that had been building up fall finally as he pressed one final kiss to your lips before moving away to rid himself of his clothes. 

You were crazy to think that you would ever be able to turn your back on this man, that he would ever walk away from you and leave you alone. As he returned to you you held out your arms open to him, and he fell into them. It was a home-coming, a return to the palace the both of you belonged, wrapped up in each other like that. 

Still weak from his earlier attentions, he helped you move your legs to wrap them around him, as you twined your arms up and around his neck, pulling him in for a deep and passionate kiss as he pushed despairingly slowly into you. 

You winced as you adjusted to his size and he pressed chaste kisses along your neck as you got used to him, whispering between each one. 

“You’re beautiful,” your neck. “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met,” your jaw. “I will spend my entire life in awe of you,” the corner of your mouth. 

When you were ready you finally blinked your eyes open and pushed your mouth into his, and he finally began his movements. Rocking his hips gently into yours, the two of you were in no rush to consume each other, savoring the feel of your coupling. You finally understood the meaning of calling the act making love - never before had you felt so cared for, so loved and desired as you did in that moment with Spencer Reid. 

You felt him getting closer and closer to bliss when he started picking up his pace slightly, his forehead resting against yours, his body heavy with the weight of his love for you. 

“I love you,” you gasped out as you felt him shudder inside of you, letting him hear the words just as he was tipped over the edge. Even though it was the first time you’d voiced the words so clearly outloud, you felt no panic, no anxiety at having made a hasty decision. It felt right, it was right. 

And you were going to keep telling this man, who worshipped you so wholly, as often as you could from this day forward,so help you god. 

[ageingfangirl2]

What Happens Below Deck Stays Below Deck! Shanks (OPLA)

SMUT! You are the new shipwright but have caught your captain's eye and despite your best efforts to hide from him after a drunken confession he manages to corner you below deck - what the crew don't know won't hurt them - Shanks x Reader (Female) SMUT!

It wasn't that you were avoiding your captain, it was more like doing your job which happened to keep you away. Okay, maybe you were hiding a little and not being alone in the same room as him because you were mortified about what happened a month after you joined the crew as the shipwright.

Everyone in the tavern was drinking and you had a little too much and might have told your captain what you did before you joined his crew. You weren't proud of your past as a prostitute, and when Shanks stated it was why you were so good with your hands, you purred in his ear and told him you were better with your mouth.

Luckily there were enough jobs around the ship to keep you busy. Like today while the ship was docked you could finally fix one of the dodgy planks in the main sleeping area because the whole crew were off the ship. You got on great with everyone and wanted to be respected for your work and not because you screwed the captain.

You had all your tools ready and the new plank already cut to size, you literally needed to pop the old one out and replace it. Maybe then because the ship was empty you could enjoy a bath with some of the bath salts you got from the last island you docked at. It was hard being the only girl on the crew.

'There we go, a job well done,' you say cheerfully, as you test the new plank by walking across it on all fours since you were already down there, and smiling when you didn't hear a creak.

As you admire your work you frown when a shadow looms over you because you thought you were alone, 'what the he--' you freeze, looking up to see Shanks staring down at you, more so his eyes lingering on your breasts which were on show due to your current position.

'Someone has been avoiding me haven't they?' Shanks chuckles his usual jovial tone darker and more sinister, 'Now I have you all to myself. Haven't been able to get you out of my head.'

'Captain, I can--' you go to stand but he pushes you back down.

'You've had me all flustered picturing your mouth on my dick, I'm your captain and I order you to make me feel better!' he demand, cutting you off.

Your eyes widen as you watch him pull down his pants and release his very well-endowed dick which was already hard and dripping precum. You were a little flattered this was all because of you, but you were torn.

You cave and lick your lips, 'I don't want this to change things, captain.'

Shanks nods and tangles his fingers in your hair, 'we both need this. This won't change things.'

You get on your knees and rest your hands on his thighs, before you take the tip in your mouth and start to lick the precum. It had been a couple of years since you'd deepthroated and you were intimidated by his size and if you were going to be able to take all of him.

'fuck--' Shanks grunts above you.

You take one hand and start rubbing the shaft in time with your licks, while the other hand reaches for his balls, all the while making sure to keep eye contact with him. You hated this, but it was something men seemed to crave.

'Such a tease...' Shanks groans, 'so eager you forgot where we are...' he laughs, fingers tightening in your hair, 'anyone could walk in on us.'

Realisation dawns on you that someone could come back and catch you in the act, and you didn't want to be seen like this, 'wait--'

Shanks cuts you off by pushing your head down roughly, forcing you to swallow more of him, your jaw hurting from being stretched. Your hands dig into his thighs as you fail to scream around him.

'I'm sorry, what was that? I can't hear you over all that noise you're making,' he taunts.

You manage to control your breathing as you feel him touch the back of your throat. Keeping the grip on his thighs you start to rock backwards and forwards on your heels and he quickly matches your pace. You didn't care that you were drooling, you stared up at your captain with pleading eyes that threatened tears.

Shanks moans, 'I'm enjoying the view. It's not every day I get to mouth fuck someone so pretty. I bet you can go deeper, I bet you want to choke on my cum, answer me.'

You're not quite sure if you nod or grunt a yes, but either way, Shanks wanted more and you resigned yourself to let him take control. Your nose is pressed against his stomach as he bottoms out deep in your throat, tears falling freely as he uses your mouth like his personal fleshlight, unloading cum which you tried to choke down but some came back up and mixed with your drool.

His thrusts start to slow down and his fingers leave your hair as he gasps for breath, 'beautiful...I can see my dick inside you...' he trails off, one finger lazily running down your cheek to your throat where he traces the clear bulge, '...as much as I'd love to see you keep choking on me, I'm impatient and there's something else I want more.'

He pulls out slowly with a satisfying pop, but you still have to catch your breath coming down from your own high. With a simple motion of his eyes towards your pants, you hastily remove them and your damp underwear with shaking hands. You lie back and spread your legs, 'captain...' you whisper but it comes out like a moan.

Shanks smirk gets bigger as he gets down on the floor, 'You're fucking gorgeous like this, spread like a good girl who wants to be eaten, and lucky for you I'm starving.'

You gasp as he lifts one of your legs over his shoulder to part you even more, 'Like I said I don't want this to change things on the ship captain.'

Shanks hums as his head dips between your thighs, 'My door will always be open, but I won't treat you any differently, I always keep my word.'

You didn't know if you'd take him up on his offer, but your mind is quickly swayed when his tongue finds your already sensitive clit and starts to roll his tongue, and your hips buck when two fingers slip between your folds and curl inside you. It was easy to see why the captain had a reputation with the ladies because you hadn't been pleasured like this in a long time. You don't try to conceal your noises as he brings you to the edge and you cum around his fingers and face. You would happily take the pain of being fucked senseless if you got a reward after.

After making you cum a few more times Shanks pulls his face up from between your thighs, your juices covering his face. You somehow manoeuvre your body to pull his face towards you and crash your lips down on his, tasting yourself.

Shanks laughs into the kiss, 'I can think of a few more things around the ship that need fixing. I have a dodgy chair in my quarters.'

You pull back and rest your forehead against his, 'I'm happy you're my captain. Now we should probably make ourselves decent before anyone comes back.

[reverie-starlight]

crawling back to you- fushiguro megumi

just something silly I started a while back that I'm finally finishing up!! i'm very in love with megumi and since I was doing a season one rewatch with my dad, I have plenty of megumi-centered thoughts I can't talk abt with him. but I can write them!! and YES okay the title was a failed bug pun.

warnings: just fluff! death of a spider, though. megumi is a little annoyed, but it gets resolved super fast, so no angst at all.

gn! reader, no specified gender or physical description, but they do stay in the girl's dorms for this fic for the sole purpose of being nobara's next door neighbour!!

You opened your door and stopped in your tracks when you saw something scuttle across the ceiling from the corner of your eye.

A loud gasp was released and Nobara, already in her PJs, peeked out from her door to see what the fuss was. “Y/n? You okay?”

You frantically beckon her over, your eyes never leaving the beast that decided to infiltrate your room. She made it to your side and followed your eyes.

“Ew! Why’d you have to show me a spider right as I’m about to go to bed? Now I’m going to be paranoid all night, thanks a lot.” She crossed her arms and made a yuck face.

“Nobara,” you started, deadly serious, clutching her arm. “I need you to use your hammer and nails to get this thing. We don’t have to get close to it that way.”

She looked as though she was seriously considering it for a moment before reluctantly shaking her head. “Y/n, cursed energy is for jujutsu work, not creepy crawlies. Besides, it’d leave some nasty holes in your wall.”

You sighed and almost resigned yourself to having to find a long stick or something to get it with. But then she spoke again.

“What about Fushiguro? He brings out his demon dog for you to play with all the time, right? What’s one more non-curse related job for a frog who’d probably love a snack?”

This finally brought your attention away from the eight legged monster on your ceiling. You looked at her with so much admiration and thanks and hugged her tightly. “Oh, Nobara you’re a genius! Thank y-“

You visibly deflated when you realized that your boyfriend wasn’t exactly happy with you at that moment.

Nobara winced. “Ouch, is he still upset?”

You nodded and frowned. Of course this would happen at a time you didn’t have him as back up.

It was a petty argument that got you into this situation- in the shared kitchen for the students, you accidentally ate a snack of his that he had been saving, which you apologized for. Great! Should’ve been over with after that, right?

…Except you accidentally did it again the next day AND forgot to put his milk back in the fridge that he had just measured out for some recipe he was excited to try.

And even though you apologized and he reassured you that it wasn’t that big of a deal, mistakes happen, he still wasn't letting you hang out in his room after training as usual. He seemed to be annoyed with you at the very least.

With the long week he’s had from being sent on two missions back to back, you understood why. He really need the mental break that you accidentally took away.

So yeah, you really doubted that he’d be willing to kill a spider for you when he’d barely even talked to you in the past 24 hours (save for his usual good morning text and a peck on the cheek when he saw you in person).

Nobara patted your back and sighed. "I think you should go ask him anyway. He's probably suffering from Y/n withdrawals by now, you know? Yuuji said he was sure he caught Fushiguro pouting on their jog earlier. Could be a good sign."

You looked at her hopefully and smiled. "Thanks, Nobara, but I think I'll just wait until morning. I'm sure if I could just find a-" your attention was drawn back to the ceiling and a feeling of dread washed over you. "Nope, I'm going right now, the spider's fucking gone," you quickly shut your door and stepped away.

She made a blended noise of disgust and fear. "Alright, I'm out. Good luck and don't let that thing out. If I see it in my room tomorrow I'm putting my nails through your clothes." She waved and headed back to her room.

You waved back and headed the other direction, towards the boy's dorms. Since it was getting late, you had to be mindful of noise so you wouldn't get caught by any faculty member- especially Gojo.

If he were to catch you "sneaking" over to Megumi's room, you were pretty sure you'd never hear the end of it, and even more sure that it would just irritate your boyfriend further.

So you put your stealth to the test until you were finally at his door. You quietly knocked three times, hoping it was loud enough for him to hear it.

When he opened the door, he raised an eyebrow at you and checked out in the hall before dragging you inside so you could talk at a somewhat normal volume.

And of course you wanted to take the time to make everything up to him, to talk it out for real and not have him be annoyed at you anymore- if Nobara said he was starting to have Y/n Withdrawals, then you had already been feeling the effects of Megumi Withdrawals since his first mission earlier this week- but right now the most pressing matter on your mind was the spider currently lost in your room.

So you decided that sweet talking him was the way to achieve your goal of getting his help.

"Megumi, love and light of my life, my one and only, my beloved-"

"Please stop."

You got down on your knees and took hold of his hand. "I am so sorry that I have ailed you this week, I promise that I will be more mindful moving forward and use my eyes to look for your name on things in the fridge-"

"You don't have to beg for my forgiveness, get up." He was basically a tomato, his whole face red and slightly covered by his hair. If you weren't on such a time crunch, you might keep going just to tease him.

"And I come to enlist your help on a quest that only you have the required tools to complete!"

"Ah, there it is. So you just need my help, then?" He tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice, but you caught it and immediately stood up to explain yourself.

"Baby, no, I do genuinely want to apologize and fix things! But um... yes, I do actually have a problem that only you can help me with."

He sighed and regarded you for a moment before nodding. "Alright, what is it?"

You immediately lit up and shook his hand excitedly. "Really? Thank you so much!"

"So... what is it?"

"There's a spider in my room, and I lost it and I need your toad to eat it."

He gave you a deadpan look before throwing his head back with a long sigh, looking at the ceiling. "Alright, let's go."

On your way back to your room, you fell into silence. Mostly because you didn't want to get caught being out past curfew, but also because neither of you really knew what to say.

Once you were in front of your door, you opened it and let him in. He summoned his toad and helped you search for it (by helped, you really meant he did all the searching while you stood outside and quietly directed him to where you saw it last.

"Can you at least come and help me look?" He asked, currently looking around on the floor under a couple of bags.

You hesitantly walked in, surveying everything before standing next to him to double check.

He broke the silence first. "You know... I really wasn't mad at you for any of the kitchen stuff. I know I told you that already, but I feel like you don't believe it."

You sifted through some clothes. "No, I did. I guess I was just sad that you weren't letting me hang out with you as much. I totally understand it- you needed a break from everything and I respect that, but I wish I could have helped before you got to that point. And I'm serious, I'll keep a better eye out before I accidentally eat your stuff." you both kind of laughed at that.

It was silent again for a couple seconds. "I'm sorry I kind of pushed you away and isolated myself."

You smiled a bit. "I'm sorry I kinda tipped you over the edge."

You turned to face each other for a moment before he wrapped you up in his arms. "You didn't. I promise next time I feel overwhelmed I'll let you know so you don't think I'm upset with you," he mumbled.

"Thank you... I love you."

"I love you too."

You stayed like that for a moment before you pulled back a bit and smirked at him. "Nobara told me that Itadori said you were pouting on you jog together earlier."

He blushed. "I was not. He doesn't know what he's talking about."

You giggled a bit and cupped his face. "I would bet a million yen that you were!"

He groaned and tried to gently pry your hands away from his face. "Stop it... I was not pouting, I don't pout."

"You so do! You're doing it right- holy shit Megumi the spider is right there gET IT PLEASE-"

The sweet moment was ruined by the spider from earlier scuttling across the ceiling over your bed. You jumped onto your boyfriend for protection, even though he couldn't do much while supporting your entire bodyweight so you wouldn't fall. He managed to send the toad after it, and it happily chased it with its tongue.

The spider was no more.

You settled back on the ground and patted the toad on the head before Megumi released it back to the shadows.

You sighed in relief.

"Thank you, my love, I appreciate it."

He nodded at you. "No problem. I should head back to my dorm now before-"

"Want to stay with me?" You tentatively interrupted.

He paused and looked towards you. "We'll get in trouble if we're caught."

You tugged on his hand a little. "Please, Megumi? I've missed you this week..."

He sighed and let you pull him to your bed, hiding a small smile when you cheer. "Fine, but I'm leaving before the sun comes up. I'm not letting Gojo think he has anything over me."

You giggled. "That's fine," and then you both got settled under the covers.

He'd be lying if he said he hadn't missed you while he was isolating himself, but he pushed any thoughts of that away and fell into a peaceful sleep with you in his arms.

this took foreverrrrr but it's finally done since I have time to write today!! ty for reading, hope you all enjoyed <3

[godisshook]

Taboo Desires

Aiden always had a crush on his roommate, Bryce. He was perfect to him, as he was the ultimate alpha, with all the narcissism that came with it. He always wanted to admit his feelings, but the fear that Bryce wouldn't reciprocate had always prevented him from acting on it. The one way Aiden did act on his feelings would be him jacking off while his roommate was gone, scrolling through Bryce's socials, and admiring his incredible body. He imagined his dick inside him, filling him up, and came immediately. It had become his way of easing his desires. Even though he knew it was wrong, he justified it, thinking there was no other way.

One morning, Aiden decided this wouldn't be enough, and would do something incredibly risky, watch Bryce as he changed. Bryce entered the bathroom as he always did, with the door being left slightly open. This was all Aiden needed, and he got up off his bed and snuck over to the bathroom door. As he peeked in, he noticed Bryce posing in front of the mirror, flexing his massive muscles. With his towel wrapped low on his waist, Aiden's imagination once again took over. Aiden looked around Bryce and saw his boxers on the floor. Noticing this, Aiden had a new mission, getting those boxers. He knocked on the door lightly, saying, "Could I use the bathroom?"

"Give me a sec," Bryce replied. Aiden knew this was his only chance, and wouldn't waste it. As Bryce opened the bathroom door and walked past Aiden, he said, "Just so you know, I still have some of my stuff in there." "I was counting on it," Aiden thought to himself as he replied, "No problem." He closed the door behind him and turned on the shower to drown out any noise he might make. Aiden picked up Bryce's boxers from the floor. After taking a whiff, Aiden felt both shame and euphoria as he slowly started getting hard. Pulling down his own underwear, Aiden began jacking off, using the lotion that Bryce had left behind.

The door swung open as Bryce said, "I forgot I left my boxers in here."

Horror came across Aiden's face as he knew he was caught. "The fuck are you holding my boxers for?" Bryce walked up to Aiden and pushed him against the wall. "Are you some kind of fag?" Aiden braced for impact, thinking it was over as Bryce began choking him. "You like that, fag?" Bryce said as his grip on Aiden's neck intensified. Aiden could not hide his arousal even at this moment, as his dick began rising. Just as Aiden felt his world closing in on him, Bryce released his grip, and Aiden breathed in huge sighs. Looking up, Aiden saw Bryce glance down at him, with his expression unreadable.

Bryce would break the silence, "I knew you were peeking at me before," With this statement, Aiden surely knew it was over. "I'm so sorry, I won't do it ever again, in fact, ill request a roommate change," Aiden said. "No need," Bryce replied, as he pushed Aiden's face into his armpits. Aiden couldn't help but breathe it in, musk filling his nose. Aiden would attempt to bring his hands up to separate himself from Bryce, but in an instant, he was turned around against the wall. He could now feel Bryce's bulge, but he was far too helpless to do anything about it. "If you wanna smell my boxers, let me give you what you really want." Bryce's words sparked a fire in Aiden's chest, he was getting what he wanted, but in the most unexpected way.

Aiden's hands grasped the wall as Bryce's cock swirled around his hole. The jock would turn Aiden's face towards his, and plant intense kisses on his lips, drawing blood as he bit on Aiden's bottom lip. His face flushed as Bryce finally entered him, with a loud moan being stifled by Bryce's hand. It was pure ecstasy, with tears leaving Aiden's eyes as his hole was stretched. With thrust after thrust sending Aiden to the brink, Bryce said, "God damn, you're so fucking tight." Aiden started jerking himself off, but as Bryce noticed, he moved Aiden's hand out of the way, and took over himself, saying, "I'm the only one who can make you cum." The heat from the still-running shower, combined with the heat from Bryce, caused Aiden to burn up inside, as pleasure and pain mingled in his waist. Sweat dripped down Bryce's abs, and Aiden felt drops of sweat bead on his forehead. The droplets would glisten as they traveled down, leaving a trail of temporary cool as it progressed. Bryce would speed up, and, in a grand fashion, the two would cum in unison, with Bryce hugging his body towards Aiden's as his ripped chest tensed up.

With his cock still inside, Bryce would lay his final kisses on Aiden's neck, giving him hickeys all over. As he pulled his cock out, Aiden's body fell to the ground as the support Bryce gave was no longer. There was no recovery, Aiden could only lie on the floor as cum leaked out from his stretched hole. Bryce looked down on him, and jacked off one more time, with the second wave of cum landing all over Aiden's face. "That's what you fucking deserve," Bryce said, as he changed into his boxers, and left the bathroom.

[vodika-vibes]

Heyyyy!

Are you doing preference lists? Or idk what’s the name for those lol

So I was thinking about what nicknames would the clones give to the reader?

I love your fics and I hope u have a wonderful 2024!

Nicknames

Pairings: ARC Trooper Fives x Reader, Commander Fox x Reader, Alpha-17 x Reader, Crosshair x Reader, Clone Commando Sev x Reader

Tagging: @trixie2023 @n0vqni

A/N: So I think you're asking for headcanons (at least I hope that's what you're asking for or else I'm answering this all wrong, lol). Since you didn't give a list of which clones you wanted, I'm going to just pick a few. Sev's feels a little awkward, honestly, but I'm still kinda happy with it.

ARC Trooper Fives x Reader - Mesh'la

The first time the unfamiliar word slipped from Fives lips when he was speaking to you, you didn't think anything of it. Fives uses basic and mando'a interchangeably at times, and while frustrating, Fives doesn't have a problem translating for you when you ask.

This time, however, this time when you asked what the unfamiliar word meant (the word falling clumsily from your tongue as you tried to mimic the way he said it) he dropped his datapad and wouldn't look you in the eye.

"Fives?" You ask, "Is it...is it bad? The thing you called me?"

"No!" He blurts his eyes suddenly wide, "No. It's...it's a good thing. It...uh..." He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, "It means beautiful."

You stare up at him, startled, and then you smile fondly, "You think I'm beautiful?" You ask.

He laughs and favors you with a smile, "How could I not?" He reaches out and lightly brushes the back of his fingers against your cheek, "My mesh'la."

Commander Fox x Reader - Angel

Commander Fox is such a hard worker, always in his office, even on days when he's supposed to be resting. Even when his brothers beg him to take a day off.

He works so hard, in fact, that the first time he calls you Angel you're pretty sure it's because he forgot your actual name. You don't mind. Well, you're a little hurt, you've been working with his for months now and him forgetting your name is like a punch to the gut, but you've always been a bit of a pushover when it comes to Fox.

And then he keeps calling you Angel.

Day after day. Multiple times in a singular conversation.

And you finally have to say something.

He smiles at you, soft and warm and so very fond, "I know what your name is." Fox says as he leans over you and tucks some of your hair behind your ear, "I call you Angel, because that's what you are. My Angel. My whole reason for showing up everyday. My whole reason for fighting in this war. Does it bother you?"

And you find, suddenly, that you don't mind the nickname at all.

Alpha-17 x Reader - Little Love

Working alongside Alpha-17 has always been easy. Sure, it leads to long days and even longer nights, where you bicker and bump heads about everything, but you respect the hell out of Alpha-17, and you know (hope) that he respects you too.

Which is why the sudden nickname startles you so badly.

"I...beg your pardon?" You ask, your eyes wide as you look up at the much larger man.

Alpha rests his chin on the palm of his hands, and watches you with an exhausted smile, "I asked," He repeats, his voice a low rumble, "if you would hand me the datapad on your left," a lazy smirk crosses his face, "Little Love."

"Since when do you call me-?"

He shoots you a thoughtful look, "Since today, I suppose. Is that okay?"

You duck your head, and release a quiet laugh, "Yeah, I think it's a great nickname. Though it's not really true..."

He leans across the table, his gaze serious as he looks you in the eye, "Then lets make it true. You and me."

And, really, how can you say no to that.

Crosshair x Reader - Sweetheart, Kitten

Crosshair is an asshole. He's always been an asshole, he'll likely always be an asshole. At least he's honest about his assholery, you suppose.

Still, you could do without him calling you sweetheart like it's an insult. It's supposed to be a petname! Not an insult!

You know better than to pick arguments with Crosshair. You do! Months of traveling with him have proven that arguing with his is an exercise in futility. But you just can't help it. He's finally pushed you to the edge.

So here you arm, your arms folded over your chest, having a raging shouting match with Crosshair.

...well, you're shouting at him, he's just goading you and making you angrier. And still, still, he's calling you sweetheart! Like...like some villain from a gangster movie.

Fed up with his bullshit, you go to push past him, wanting to remove yourself from the situation before you say, or do, something foolish, but Crosshair moves, and pins you against the wall before you even realize what's happening.

You bite your tongue to stop the flood of curses you want to spit at him, and he smirks at you, "Aww, Kitten. Where'd your claws go?"

And all of the fight drains from your body as your face burns. You were wrong, Kitten is a much worse nickname than Sweetheart.

Clone Commando Sev x Reader - Sarad

For such a hard and rough around the edge man, Sev is surprisingly tender with you. Always the first person to offer you a compliment (even when you look/feel gross and just want to shower and curl up on the couch) and always so very gentle with you, as though terrified that he might hurt you if he's not careful.

And so his nickname for you isn't the least bit surprising.

Sarad. Flower.

At the time you laughed, "Because I'm small and frail?" You teased him, even as you leaned against his solid body and accepted his gentle affection.

"Because you're beautiful. And perfect, just like a flower." Sev corrected, as he brushed his thumb against your cheek, as gently as one would brush their fingers against a flower petal.

And just like that, you fell deeper into love with your stern and hard, and somehow oh so sweet man.

[lorkai]

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ A/N: Honestly I forgot today it's valentine's day, but thankfully I found time to write a little something both cute and funny - well I think it's funny. Anyway, happy valentine's day for y'all, I'm giving each one of you a little kiss on the cheek! (Tagging you bcs I think you'll enjoy this @hanafubukki)

"Are you sure about that?" Silver grabs your arm before you can walk through the door and meet his father, his normally warm and comfortable palms were now cold with anxiety. It was so strange to see him so agitated like this, when you were used to seeing him with a calm and content expression.

You smile, trying to control your own nervousness, trying not to show how you felt. Lilia would be able to sense your nervousness like a hungry shark before even a "how are you?" could escape your lips. Maybe even with his eyes closed and blindfolded, he could see you shaking. The old general might be your good friend, but he could scare one whenever he wanted.

Wanting not to think about it now, you force another smile onto your face as soon as the old one falters and take Silver's hands between yours affectionately, joining your head to his, your eyes connected. There was nothing to fear, not when you knew what the results of your action were, the metal between Silver's fingers left you bubbling with happiness. His "yes" echoing again and again in your mind, echoing, shouting, whispering, existing in all forms.

"Everything's going to be okay," You whispered to him before giving him one last kiss, feeling your heart beat like it was one of the first exchanged. You moved away and with that the heat too. "I'll leave with a positive answer. Trust me."

And with that you ventured into unknown lands.

Lilia was in his natural habitat, pink apron wrapped around his waist as he watched the strange mixture he called food bubble inside the pot. As soon as the door closed he looked over his shoulder and smiled at you in greeting, returning to paying attention to whatever he was cooking.

Abort mission? You thought, swallowing hard. the smell of the death reaching you, but you took a deep breath. No, I can't give up. it's now or never!

"Uh... Lilia?" You mentally slapped yourself as your voice weakened, fidgeting with the hem of your shirt as you tried to calm down. Was this how everyone felt? Heavens, what torture! "I want to ask you something."

A sigh left your lips as a small hand rested on your chin and forced your face to meet his, vibrant red eyes looking at you curiously. As you predicted, he already knew something was going on and seemed to find the situation funny. "Fufufu~, what scared you, Yuu?"

You, you scare me! You mentally shouted, pressing your lips into a straight line before smiling.

"I want to ask for your blessing to marry Silver." You let it all out in a single breath, afraid of even breathing wrong. Your eyes closing on impulse.

Lilia mumbled something incoherent, released you and walked away. He looked so shocked that for a second he just stared at you without saying anything while a thousand thoughts ran through his mind.

He's going to say no, he's going to tell me to never go near Silver again.

Far from it, Lilia burst into contagious laughter, wiping away small tears that ran from his eyes. For several minutes all you heard was the sound of something bubbling inside the pot and Lilia laughing, his face so red it looked like a pepper. Finally he seemed to calm down, using the kitchen counter to steady himself. He took a deep breath, once, twice before looking at you again.

"So that's how they feel... I expected anything but that, honestly, oh wow." Lilia took another deep breath, back to his normal self. "Marriage is a big step to take, are you ready for it?"

You nodded, a sweet smile growing on your face. "I am prepared now as I will be in the years to come to make your son the happiest man in the world and being able to call him my husband would make me very happy too."

Lilia seemed to think for a second, but you knew, you could feel the positive response coming any moment now. He turned around and turned off the stove, letting his food cool, then returned his attention to you more carefully, arms crossed over his chest.

"Does Silver want this?”

As if ready to answer the question, Silver opened the door, awkwardly looking at his father.

"Yes, I want."

Lilia laughed softly, opening his arms and waiting for his son to cross the entire space that separated them and come hug him, just as he did so readily when he was still a child. And Silver did, he might even be bigger than his father now but the effect was still the same, all the comfort, all the love, was there.

"Yuu, you too!" Lilia commanded, extending another arm towards you. Surprised, you joined the hug, melting almost immediately in the middle of the two, a rollercoaster of emotions running through your chest.

"Ah, children, you grow up so fast, I almost feel old!" Silver let out a laugh as his father massaged his scalp, his hand found yours and he squeezed it lightly. "You have my blessing to get married, I can almost see the ceremony and it is beautiful."

He broke away, small tears forming in his eyes as he looked at you and Silver. A smile made its way across his face.

"Promise to make my son happy, promise to love him as he deserves?" He asked.

You promptly responded. "Of course I promise and I will never break that promise, I swear on my life."

"Good indeed, otherwise... Fufu~" Lilia laughed. This time in a tone that sent shivers down your spine and Silver sent a pleading look to his father, the fae rolled his eyes. "Young people these days don't understand my jokes, oh well. By the way I'm glad you're here, the food is ready and hot and we can talk more with our bellies full!"

And there was the omen of death, you could see his black cloak and the scythe in his hand clearly. Death was coming. Silver pulled you close. "Sorry dad, but we have to go ring shopping." He lied for both of your sakes, waving as he started walking.

"Silver, I can clearly see a ring on your finger and Yuu's finger." Lilia argued against it.

And with that, Silver pulled you up and started running. Adrenaline filled your body as you followed him, it was a matter of life or death now.

But at least you had gotten Lilia's blessing.

[yellowocaballero]

“I’m afraid I must call you out of retirement for a final mission.”

Cold ice shot through Tobi’s chest. Fuck.

Did he know? He couldn’t. If he knew, he wouldn’t show it like this. His visit with T&I would be a lot less cheerful, that’s for sure. Was he prodding Tobi, watching for his reaction? Did Sarutobi honestly think he’d slip up? Tobi was incapable of slipping up. He couldn’t tell the truth with a kunai to his throat at this point.

“What sort of mission is it?” Tobi asked excitedly, ripping open the folder. He held the paper up and slowly mouthed the words on the page, fighting to get through the page. Look at him, he filled out his mission reports in crayon and could barely read. “Mission report…assignment duration, promotion or release…pay…oh, ew…assignment…jounin sensei…”

Tobi trailed off.

Distantly, he heard himself say, “Um. Maybe this is a mistake?”

As promised in last post. Kakashi & Obito roleswap. Barely. It's complicated. Please pay no attention to how many roleswaps I have written. Just ignore it. Do me a favor and do not think about it. OK? Thank you.

Snippet from a much longer, much messier document. This part was the very first part writiten and very much a proof of concept. I'm trying to figure out if I should overhaul the thing and turn this into an actual story, so let me know.

Short beginning scene of Tobito's Wild Ride under the cut.

“Tobi. Thank you for coming.”

Obviously, Tobi didn’t bow or kneel. That wasn’t the sort of person Tobi was. He just grinned broadly, waving so broadly that his body swayed with the motion. “Gramps! Hello! Wow, you’ve gotten old since I’ve seen you!”

Sarutobi chuckled, raising a pipe to his mouth. The pipe - either ‘I’m thinking hard’, ‘I want to pretend I’m thinking hard and giving due consideration to your idea when I don’t really care’, or ‘I’ve already decided and I’m pretending that you have a say in this’. What was the point of the last one? This was a literal military dictatorship. Tobi forgot how exhausting this man could be. 

“It has been a while,” Sarutobi said indulgently. “Since…the T&I incident, I believe?”

Tobi giggled, high and childish. “Inoichi-san got sooo mad. But Tobi said he was real, real, real sorry, so I hope he’s not still mad…oh, no.” Tobi gasped, face falling in desolation. “Is Inoichi-san still mad at me? Oh, Tobi can go apologize again -”

“It’s water under the bridge.” Tobi exhaled gustily, wiping the back of his hand against his brow. It wasn’t his fault Inoichi hated him. Apparently his mind was absolutely impenetrable. Something about constant children’s lullabies just playing full blast in his head. Or songs regarding a specific time of day someplace in the world. “I have to apologize, Tobi. I always feel as if I should keep a better eye on you. There’s never enough time in the day for all of the people we care about. Please forgive me for my inattention to you.”

Manipulative old fuck. Tobi panicked, embarrassed by the attention and affection. He waved his hands quickly, almost jumping up and down. “Gramps! It’s okay! Tobi’s not lonely or sad! He still has Sasuke-chan! Sasuke-chan wasn’t brutally murdered, so Tobi’s A-OK!” Tobi had to tell himself that a lot. Every morning after a nightmare, which meant every morning period. “And I met a really nice old lady yesterday and helped her down the street. She gave me an apple sweet. It was delicious! So there’s nothing to forgive, Gramps!”

“I’m glad,” Sarutobi said warmly. Ugh. Tobi knew objectively that Minato-sensei had tried to imitate that tone, but he still liked to convince himself that Sarutobi was mimicking Minato-sensei. That was a good one, he’d have to use it. “Sasuke-kun is actually why I called you here today.” 

That kid. Tobi sighed. “Tobi is sorry that Tobi cannot control Sasuke-chan. I’ve told him that punching Naruto-kun is bad, but he just doesn’t listen…”

“I’m sure you’ll find a method somehow.” Sarutobi pushed a thin file folder across the desk, and Tobi curiously stepped forward and picked it up. He’d know a file like that anywhere. It was a mission assignment folder. “I’m afraid I must call you out of retirement for a final mission.”

Cold ice shot through Tobi’s chest. Fuck.

Did he know? He couldn’t. If he knew, he wouldn’t show it like this. His visit with T&I would be a lot less cheerful, that’s for sure. Was he prodding Tobi, watching for his reaction? Did Sarutobi honestly think he’d slip up? Tobi was incapable of slipping up. He couldn’t tell the truth with a kunai to his throat at this point.

How did Tobi feel about this? Tobi sure as hell knew how Obito felt - desperately wondering if a T&I visit was in his future. Tobi was scared of the missions, sure. But he was a five year old. How would a five year old react to these things? 

Well. Tobi knew how he would have reacted. He would have sighed and rolled his eyes about yet another mission. Pretty impressive when you were burned out of your career at five years old. He blamed the two month graduation for years before he learned of Rin and Kakashi’s hell and eventually concluded that it could have been worse. At least Tobi was paid for his war zone. 

“A mission?” Tobi gushed. He clenched on the folder far too tightly, like a child clutching a wheezing frog. “I’m going on missions again?” He jumped a little, his usual little show of excitement. Kept his energy up. “Does that mean Gramps isn’t mad at me anymore?”

Tobi carefully snuck a glance up from the folder, checking Sarutobi’s expression. Sarutobi’s face was impassive stone, as usual, but he looked a little worn too. “We were never angry with you.”

Tobi fully looked up, tilting his head and frowning. “Nuh-uh. Tobi remembers. Everybody was so mad at Tobi. Just because his hand slipped…it wasn’t Tobi’s fault.”

“We know,” Sarutobi said gently. “Minato didn’t retire you because he was angry with you. He was only looking out for you.”

Well, Tobi didn’t want to be out of fucking retirement. It was objectively insane to put him on any mission. Tobi had gotten sabotaging every attempt to make him a useful member of society down to a fucking art. He had a shitton of inheritance to blow and a nice long civilian life to blow it on. Maybe he was too stubborn about it - Iruka was definitely convinced that he was the second laziest person in the village and sabotaged his assigned jobs on purpose, which Tobi would have resented if it wasn’t absolutely true - but spite was important. Spite woke him up in the morning. 

The only thing that helped him tolerate this stupid village was his hate for it. Ain’t that just the way.

“What sort of mission is it?” Tobi asked excitedly, ripping open the folder. He held the paper up and slowly mouthed the words on the page, fighting to get through the page. Look at him, he filled out his mission reports in crayon and could barely read. “Mission report…assignment duration, promotion or release…pay…oh, ew…assignment…jounin sensei…”

Tobi trailed off.

Distantly, he heard himself say, “Um. Maybe this is a mistake?”

“Trust me. You’re hardly our first choice.” Finally, they agreed on something. “But you’re the only one in this village with a Sharingan, Tobi. You’re the only one who can teach Sasuke how to use his power.”

“Nuh-uh. Um. This is a mistake. Ha ha.” Tobi ripped the paper from the folder, crumpling it into a ball and tossing it over his shoulder. “Because, um, I can’t use my Sharingan. Did Gramps maybe forget that? Ha ha?”

“But you still remember how to use it. Even if you can’t use it yourself, you can still walk Sasuke-kun through using his.” Sarutobi eyed Tobi knowingly, the dim glowing embers of his pipe reflecting a soft light in his eyes. “You were once a genius with the Sharingan, Tobi. They said you were the best since Madara.”

Yeah! Yeah, they did say that, old man! That was the whole fucking problem!

Mention of the Sharingan or Tobi’s old talents always upset him, so this was a great springboard into nipping this in the bud. He’d throw a hissy fit if he had to. Tobi had killer hissy fits. That was how Sasuke was given a seat as head of house in the Clan Council. Tobi’s wail could pierce eardrums and Sasuke had deserved that fucking seat. 

“Tobi doesn’t like the Sharingan anymore!” Tobi exclaimed. “Tobi wants to help Sasuke-chan, Gramps, cross Tobi’s heart! But Tobi doesn’t like the Sharingan and the Sharingan don’t like Tobi. And that’s just the truth.” Tobi crossed his arms, sniffling and scrunching his nose. “And don’t say what you’re gonna say. Tobi knows what’s up. Minato-sensei’s little boy is on that team too, isn’t he?”

He absolutely was. Tobi had speed-read the entire document while he was reading it out loud. But even the remnant of Obito’s genius was still considerable, and Tobi’s moments of keen insight were useful for pushing the enemy into a corner. 

“I thought you might appreciate the chance to look after your sensei’s son,” Sarutobi said mildly, removing a silver lighter from his pocket. Engraved, a gift from Biwako. Was that on purpose? A mind game on Tobi, an unconscious memory on his part, or a purposeful evocation of a memory just for him? Was he trying to remind Tobi of something or corner Obito? Damn this man. “Help him like your sensei helped you.”

The really great thing about Tobi was that he could get away with saying this. It was only to the left of cathartic, but at least it was in the zone. “I’m not stupid, Gramps!” Tobi yelled. The ANBU in the corners twitched, but when Sarutobi’s fingernail clicked on the silver lighter they subsided. “You’re giving Minato-sensei and Kushina-neechan’s little baby and his fox to the last Sharingan because you want the Sharingan to eat the Fox! Why are you doing what you want when you know it won’t work? Tobi’s tried, he can’t - he can’t, Gramps.”

It wasn’t the sort of thing any self-respecting Uchiha would admit. Half of them would kill themselves if they lost their Sharingan. Uchiha Obito, whose Sharingan was the pride and joy of the clan - who was the Uchiha’s Uchiha before Itachi-kun was even a twinkle in his mother’s eye - would never abandon his one point of value. 

And everybody knew how prideful the Uchiha were. There was no Uchiha alive who would pretend to be Tobi. Could you imagine? What Uchiha would humiliate themselves like this with a goofy smile on their face? A regular human being could barely do it. An Uchiha? Forget it. Impossible.

But Kushina-neechan’s favorite shinobi was always the most surprising of all. And Obito cared about that more than all the rest. 

The only ninja who would have ferreted him out was Kakashi. Kakashi and his dopey, stupid smile. His ridiculous porn books and his clumsy pratfalls. His laziness, lateness, and utter underachiever lifestyle. Only Kakashi ever said those words, with a wink and a smile: a true shinobi looked underneath the underneath. So save your energy and watch the clouds with me, Uchiha-kun. No? Maybe next time…

The next time never came. Being a good Uchiha had always meant something, and the useless son of a disgraced clan meant nothing at all. Nothing to anybody but Minato and Kushina and Rin and Obito.

“You’re better than nothing.” In that second, Sarutobi really did look very tired. He didn’t look like he was lying at all. “You’re the best we have, Tobi.”

Tobi was silent. Sarutobi knew it wasn’t much of a compliment. Even somebody like Tobi would know that. 

“As a favor to Sasuke-kun and Naruto-kun,” Sarutobi said, “and as a favor to me. Please give these children the help you can. Don’t worry - I’ll ask the other jounin to pitch in and help.” 

Tobi lowered his voice, and he allowed his tone to grow a little more serious. “I’m not strong. I’m not good at molding chakra and I haven’t really fought anyone in a long time. I can’t protect the children.” 

“We’ll be careful,” Sarutobi allowed. But there was something in his eye… “You may be rusty, but I doubt you’re out of the ring yet. Have a little faith in yourself.” The look in his eyes glinted and grew, and for the first time he stared right at Tobi. “You did hold your own against Uchiha Itachi.”

They stared at each other for a long second, two. A little too late, Tobi laughed and scrubbed the back of his neck. “Silly Gramps! I said a billion times. Tobi hid. I don’t think Itachi-kun thought it was worth it to kill me…I don’t think Itachi-kun ever thought I was a real Uchiha. But we’ve showed him, huh?” Tobi grinned, jabbing a finger at his chest. “Now there’s three whole Uchiha in the whole wide world! One third’s a serial killer, one third’s twelve, and one third is…drumroll please…Tobi! Konoha’s in good hands, ne?”

Tobi smiled at the man who ordered Uchiha Itachi to kill their entire family.

Sarutobi smiled back at the man who was currently pulling the most intricate and improbable lying campaign in a village of ninjas. In Obito’s defense, it was to save his own life. Sarutobi had murdered his family to - well, save the village, but Tobi didn’t have to like it. 

“Thank you for accepting the mission. I trust you’ll do splendidly.”

“Uh. Tobi didn’t -”

“The children ought to be waiting for you in the schoolroom at 1000 hours. You ought to head over - I expect you’re already late.”

Tobi squealed, looking at the unwound watch on his wrist and slapping his head. “Oh no! I’m late, I’m late, I’m late! Bye, Gramps! You promise-promise to get back-up for Tobi, right?”

Pleasantly, Sarutobi said, “I would not trust you alone with those children, no.”

“Yay! Okay, gotta goooo!”

When he left Sarutobi’s office, he was about ten minutes late to his meeting with the children. By the time he arrived at the school he was over an hour late. Lost on the road of life and all that. It didn’t matter - venting about this ridiculousness to Kakashi was way more important than meeting the brats on time.

This would be a disaster. There was no way this would end well. Tobi was a brain damaged, traumatized moron who couldn’t use his one skill and who hadn’t been on active duty since he whoopsie-daisy’d his sword into his best friend’s heart. If Sarutobi didn’t keep up his promise and drag in the other jounin to take up his slack then he’d riot. Did he want Tobi to do work? Tobi? He had resigned from capitalism and the military industrial complex. Pulling him into this shit again - as if he hadn’t suffered enough -

As if Sasuke and Naruto hadn’t. Maybe one of Sarutobi’s stupid-ass motivations was because he knew that only Tobi would be nice to Sasuke and Naruto. Damn Naruto especially. For that, at least…if only as a favor to Minato-sensei…

To make up for it…maybe a little bit of real work would be the least he could do.

Ugh. Hopefully not that much.

Tobi finally touched down at the school, following the Academy hallways to Sasuke’s classroom by route memory. He dropped off Sasuke’s lunch a lot. It embarrassed him so much. It was classic.

Tobi walked into the classroom and allowed a large basket of glitter to fall on top of his head.

A peal of laughter squealed throughout the room, and Tobi opened his eyes to see Uzumaki Naruto clutching his sides and laughing his ass off. Quite rudely, Sasuke had his feet propped up on a desk. That third girl was sitting primly in her seat, terrified. 

“What an idiot! Our new sensei actually fell for - wait.” Naruto straightened, squinting at Tobi. He yelled, jabbing a finger at him. “Hey! Number Two Ramen Fan! What the hell are you doing here?”

Sasuke almost fell out of his seat. He scrambled to his feet, panicked in his special Sasuke way - that was, eyes a little wider than usual. “Tobi? Did I forget my lunch?”

“Um?” Sakura Haruno hunched her shoulders in her seat, picking at the corner of a scroll. “Uchiha Obito’s our sensei. I thought you knew. Did you…not know?”

“Is this a joke?” Sasuke cried. “Who the hell thought this was funny? Tobi couldn’t fight his way out of a paper bag! If they’re bullying us again, I swear to god I’ll strangle whoever -”

“Whoah,” Naruto cried, impressed. “Violent!”

“Everybody’s always bullying Tobi,” Sasuke snapped. “I’m an Uchiha. What sort of Uchiha would I be if I tolerated that?”

Glitter dripped down Tobi’s hair and sprinkled onto his clothing. He smiled, big and bright, and clapped his hands together. Sasuke was groaning, but Naruto and Sakura just leaned in closer - caught in a morbid curiosity, desperate to meet their own fate. Signed and sealed. “Tobi’s first impression of you all is…you’re so funny! Tobi likes you!”

The kids paled. 

[mika-no-sekai-blog]

Word count: 1800+

Warnings: mentions of blood, broken bone and dislocated joints, swearing

I hoped it would be a surprise, but you mostly likely already know who the reader is.

Anyway things are finally moving and reader's life is going to get complicated

Enjoy and let me know what do you think

Part VII | Part IX

You had never cried so hard or at least you didn't remember anything like that. Tamlin let you weep as much as you needed. Humming he held you firmly and gently rocked you. Lullaby-like melody made his board chest vibrate, the sound so deep and soothing. His humming and hand stroking down your spine, combing through your hair, soon calmed you down. You inhaled deeply, your lungs filling with the smell of rain.

"I didn't know one could cry so hard because of a necklace," Tamlin murmured. You felt him smirk. "You don't like it so much?"

"I'm sorry. It's all because of the lights and decorations and delicious food," you stumbled over the words, trying to find some explanation, understand why it happened on the first place. "But I do like the necklace. Very much. I've never received anything so beautiful. Thank you."

He held you tighter for a moment and then straightening up, he released you. "Ready for the next part of the evening?" he handed you a tissue.

"Isn't it over yet?" you wondered.

He shook head. "Personally, I think that this is the best part of celebration," Tamlin smiled widely.

As if waiting for a signal, a soft melody echoed around the forest coming in through still opened windows. It sounded like millions of bells and jingle bells mixed with rustling of leaves and sounds of forest creating a joyful song. You'd never heard anything so beautiful.

"I'm sorry that it isn't a real music. I had to improvise and work with what I have at hand. Shall we?" he extended hand towards you.

You gave him a questioning look.

"Dance, Y/N," he raised a brow.

"I.. I can't dance," you admitted as blood rushed into your cheeks.

"It's okay. No big deal. I can't, too," Tamlin winked still smiling. You were sure that it was a lie and grimaced at him nervously.

Hesitantly you accepted his hand. Tamlin's long fingers closed around your small hand, pulling you to your feet. His other hand wrapped around your waist, pulling you so close that with every breath your chest brushed against his. Inhaling deeply you looked up. In the moment your eyes met, losing yourself in those emeralds you forgot about everything else.

There wasn't enough space in your cottage for a big dancing figures, but for the two of you it was enough. Testing the waters, Tamlin took a small step to the side and you followed. Then another back and you again followed him. For a while you were just swaying like this around, until you got used to the rhythm.

"That's it," he praised you. "You're doing great."

By adding a few new steps you started to move all around the small space and soon enough you were really dancing. It was easier than you thought. Your body moved on its own as if it already knew this dance. Even Tamlin seemed to be pleasantly surprised. Both of you were laughing as you swirled around each other until you ran out of breath and needed a break.

Still laughing you sat down to your armchair. Mirroring you Tamlin sat down on the armrest and taking out a fiddle he joined the forest orchestra. Their combination was perfect.

"Amazing," you breathed out. He was so skilled that you couldn't take your eyes off of him. But as soon as you caught your breath, he put the fiddle down and pulled you up to another dance. You gladly complied.

In the moment your bodies met, the whole room went dark, fire in the fireplace was the only source of light. The darkest night cold like north wind filled the room. Even the music stopped playing. Tamlin instinctively pulled you to his side, his arms wrapped around you protectively.

In the middle of the darkness a male figure appeared, his violet-blue eyes blazing with rage. A pair of monstrous membranous wings stretched behind him. You winced. You saw this too many times in your nightmares, similar monster making you wake up in the middle of the night in cold sweat for years.

"Hands off of her," he hissed, his voice deep and cold.

Tamlin's muscles turned into a stone under your hands, his arms held you so firmly it almost hurt. Your own fingers clenched his clothes in your fists, you clung impossibly close to him.

"What are you doing here, Rhysand?" Tamlin growled. His green gaze hardened, gleaming with raw power.

Rhysand. So this was the High Lord of Night Court you saw at Tamlin's manor. Back then he didn't have wings, so you didn't recognize him at first. His enormous powers rumbled around, making you feel sick. Your heart pounded against your ribs. You knew you should be scared, but strangely you weren't.

You pushed the nausea back and took a proper look at him. Even angry he was still very handsome. Raven's feathers like dark short hair combed back, tanned skin, muscular body that could compete with Tamlin's. Even though he was an epitome of the worst nightmares, there was something familiar about him. You were sure you'd never met him before, but you couldn't place the feeling. You tried to search your memories further, but it only caused you a headache.

"I said hands. Off. Of. Her," Rhysand growled, putting emphasis of every word.

"This is my court and she is subject of this court. You have no power here," Tamlin snapped back. "Only Y/N decides who can touch her."

Rhysand roared with rage, tendrils of his powers shooting out to you. You closed your eyes shielding your face in Tamlin's chest. His muscles tensed, smell of two powers mixed together. You were about to faint.

There was a cracking sound and a cry of pain, and you were ripped out of his protective arms. Something jerked you back violently and arm once again wrapped around you as the sound of cracking wood sounded. Your lungs filled with a unknown and yet so familiar citrus scent.

Daring to crack your eyes open you looked up. But instead of emerald ones, the violet-blue eyes with flecks of silver were gazing down at you. You gasped in shock and tried to push him away, but Rhysand was as unmovable as a mountain.

"It's okay, Aury. You are safe with me," he whispered so only you could hear him. There was no trace of rage in his voice when he spoke to you.

Another pained moan came from behind you, smell of blood filled the air. In horror you turned around as much as possible. There in the middle of debris that used to be a table, sat Tamlin, teeth bared. Panting in pain, he held his left arm. Even from a far you could see it's broken on several places, piece of bone piercing the skin, his shoulder dislocated.

Instinctively you moved forward, but Rhysand held you firmly. Tamlin's eyes glowed in the dark and his broken bones and dislocated shoulder returned to its place with loud crack, wounds healed as well. He stood up, ready to fight for you.

"How could you do that? How could you hide her here for so long?" Rhysand snarled. "We were friends. Why didn't you tell me she is alive?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Tamlin fired back angrily. "If you don't let Y/N go, I swear I'll kill you." He took a step forward, his claws ready to shred this intruder into pieces.

"Who's Y/N? Are you trying to lie to my face? This is Auriela."

"Are you crazy? Y/N isn't your sister. She can't be. Your sister is dead. I saw her wings! I burned them that night after I became High Lord," Tamlin howled in frustration.

"Don't you dare lie to me," Rhysand turned you to his chest. You were fighting him as much as you could, but in your current state you weren't able to do much. He yanked the back of your dress open.

Cool night air kissed your exposed back. Tamlin gasped and stumbled back, smell of his magic disappeared. You knew what he saw. Two long scars along the shoulder blades were on your back your entire life, but you didn't remember what caused them. At some point you resolved that they were the reason of the lost of your memory and that was enough for you to stop worrying about it.

"I'm so sorry, sweetie," Rhysand whispered to you. Magic filled air once again as your dress was repaired. You felt so sick, so nauseous, so confused. If Rhysand wouldn't hold you upright, you would fall down like a puppet with cut wires.

"Do you still want to claim that this isn't my sister?" he said aloud to Tamlin. His other hand came up, too, caressing you and holding you so lovingly against his too strong body. You couldn't fight anymore, all strength left you. Your heart was painfully beating in your chest, skipping a beat at times. Your breathing became laboured, world was spinning too fast.

"I saw it.. How could she survive it.." Tamlin's voice was so small.

"You tell me," Rhysand snapped. "Do you want to say you had no idea?"

"I mean.. there was something familiar about her all this time, but.." Tamlin sat down into the debris, broken and confused.

"How could you not recognize her?! It took just one look and I knew her immediately."

Your body was failing you. You felt so small and weak, their voices becoming so muffled at times, you couldn't hear a thing. You wanted to stop this nonsense, tell this Rhysand you weren't his sister and run back to Tamlin, but all you could do was focus on breathing.

"She was just a little girl back then.. I saw her once maybe twice.."

"You and your family ripped her wings off, kidnapped her and then hid her in this poor excuse of a shelter. I could kill you right here and now, but you saved my life. I hereby repay you my debt."

"I didn't know they left her alive.. I swear.."

"It doesn't matter. Now I'm going to take her where she belongs. Back to her home, to her family," Rhysand declared.

No. Nononono. This was bad. So wrong. It couldn't be true. None of the shit this male told. No matter what, you had to stay in your cottage. You forced yourself to move, managing to half turn back to Tamlin. "Tamlin.. no," your voice was too small and shaky. But he heard you. His eyes full of pain found yours for a brief moment and then his gaze slid to the side.

"I'm so sorry," he mumbled as his shoulders slumped. "I really didn't know.. He is right.. You should be with your family.." And there it was. He gave up without putting a fight. He simply gave up. Tamlin wouldn't stop him, he decided to let you go.

The tears of betrayal filled your eyes. It hurt like dagger stuck straight into a heart, but you still wanted to give him a chance to right this. Beg him to save you.

"No, Tamlin, plea-" Darkness swallowed you before you could finish.

It was too late. Ignoring your pleads Rhysand winnowed you away.

Taglist:

@impossibelle @sevikas-whore @b0xerdancer

[thrillered]

"You Know I Mountain Dew It For Ya" | Spencer Agnew x Reader | Pt. 5

Pt. 5: resolution.

-

-

-

-

Your heart dropped right through your ass. You stood there, one shaky hand out holding a ten dollar bill. Even through the shock you couldn’t help but laugh thinking about how stupid you must look. 

“What’s so funny?” Spencer asked, his heart rate increasing as you stood in front of him.

“I- I must have looked like… an idiot” You explained through fits of laughter. Maybe you were falling into hysteria, this was clearly not the time to be laughing but you couldn’t stop. 

You gestured for him to come inside as you composed yourself. You took a few deep breaths and steadied yourself, closing the door to join Spencer in your living room. He sat on the right side of your couch, like he always did. You couldn’t help but think about how well Spencer fit into your life and you in his, like two puzzle pieces. 

You sat against the left side of the couch, curling into yourself. “So…” You trailed off, not sure what to say.

“Are you okay?” Spencer asked, his eyes full of genuine concern. 

“Yeah I'm okay Spence.” 

“Then, like, what's going on?” Spencer began, fiddling with his watch– a present you got him for Christmas last year. “You’ve been avoiding me and– don't even try to deny it” He cut you off, seeing you were about to refude his point. “And I don't know.. I just… I miss you i guess” Spencer finished, his voice small and meek, full of anxiety. 

You stared at him, feeling the aura of fear and anxiety around him. “I miss you too.” You began, feeling your throat begin to tighten. “Like a lot.” 

You knew you missed him but in that moment, feeling his closeness, almost able to feel his body heat radiating off of him, you truly felt it. It had only been a few days and yet your life felt so different, your routine had become dependent on Spencer and without him it’s been skewed, back to a time when you didn’t have him. 

“Fuck. I’m so sorry Spencer.” You pleaded, your eyes beginning to well up.

“I forgive you, of course, but can you tell me why you were ignoring me?” He asked, “Can you at least give me that?” 

“I just- I released my song and suddenly so many more eyes were on me and things were changing– do you know I have 3.6 million streams total now? Like for all my music?-- things got crazy.” You began rambling, finally expressing everything you’ve been feeling lately. “Then my worlds collided and everyone started saying things about you and us and I guess I thought that if I took time away from you that people would leave it alone.” Your voice softened.

“C’mere” He mumbled, pulling you into a hug, his warmth enveloping you. 

You realized all the stress you’d been holding as it melted away in the heat of Spencer's embrace. You sighed deeply, leaning farther into Spencer as he turned, keeping one arm around you. 

“Spenspresso is pretty clever though.” Spencer teased, “it’s got a good ring to it, don't ya think?” 

You laughed, shaking your head, grateful the awkwardness was gone and your usual banter was back. “You wish.” 

“Oh! I almost forgot, I brought you a croissant from that fancy bakery.” Spencer reached next to him for the bag, offering it to you, “Ya know? In case I did something wrong and I had to convince you to keep me around.” 

“You didn’t need the croissant because one: you didn’t do anything wrong, and two: I was convinced to keep you years ago.” 

—

Spencer asked if he could stay for a little, to make up for lost time, he explained. You agreed, settling in on the couch and leaning your head on Spencer's shoulder as he played on your animal crossing island, doing the terraforming you hated to do, while catching up what each other missed the past few days. 

It felt nice, more than nice, it felt perfect. Making Spencer laugh as you told jokes into his ear and played with the sleeve of his sweater, you could almost fool yourself into believing he felt the same way as you. It made you want to confess right then and there, but you couldn't. You just got him back as a friend, you wouldn’t jeopardize that. For now you were content to nod off on his shoulder as just his friend. His best friend. 

You would worry about everything else tomorrow, for now you allowed yourself to relax. Just as you were falling asleep you could hear Spencer lightly humming an all too familiar tune. You smiled as you fell asleep. 

–

Spencer sat in contentment, laughing at your jokes, his stomach flipping with every breath he felt against his neck. Soon enough your jokes stopped and your breathing shallowed. He could tell you had fallen asleep as you nuzzled further into his side, a thing you only did while sleeping. You tried to not smother him normally but unconscious you wanted to be as close to him as possible. 

It was moments like these that Spencer wished could last forever. He tried to commit every miniscule detail to memory from the smell of your shampoo to the way your hair fell over your eye. He brushed it behind your ear, taking a second to examine your face, appreciating how peaceful you looked. 

He knew it was late but who was he to wake you when you seemed so comfortable? Instead he slowly moved the two of you until you were laying across the couch, Spencer made sure your head was supported on his chest and that you wouldn’t wake up in pain. 

He had spent the night enough times that it didn’t need to be explicitly stated that he could stay so he closed his eyes, craning his neck to place a feather soft kiss on the top of your head. He listened to your breath and let the feeling of your heartbeat lull him into sleep.  Right as Spencer drifted into dreamland he vaguely heard you murmur an “I love you Spence.” But, maybe he imagined it as he slipped away from reality, either way his heart soared and he vowed to never let you spend so much time away again.

[ofmdrecaps]

09/10-17/2024 Daily OFMD Recap Pt 1

Hey all. Sorry about the format, and I even said this was coming yesterday and then some crazy shit happened ONCE AGAIN because life is crazy like that. Please bare with me as I get the different parts out -- and please let me know if I missed anything major!

TLDR; David Jenkins; Rhys Darby; Kristian Nairn; Vico Ortiz; Con O'Neill; +

Part 2 / Part 3

== David Jenkins ==

David has been at it again, making us cry even more with admiration of our beloved Captain.

Source: David Jenkins Twitter

And David reached out regarding the other trailer drop anniversary!

Source: David Jenkins Twitter

Coming up in another section for Taika in part 2, as we know whenever Taika goes to any event, someone complains about him, so David sent a very sweet reminder about him (although the second one, I'm not sure if he's calling Taika old or not lol).

Source: David Jenkins Twitter

And just in case you weren't tearing up from Chaos Dad's kind words, he has some for the fans too.

Source: David Jenkins Twitter

And just a friendly reminder that fanfiction CAN help you go places. (Lincodega now works as a writing assistent for IWTV)

Source: David Jenkins' Twitter

== Rhys Darby ==

In related but news, Rhys did a cameo for Kitten Rescue LA! They constantly get so many kittens in that they can't take care of. This is a really sweet video of him endorsing, but as mentioned below, there's a CW you should be aware of.

CW: Mention of Pet Euthanasia

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kitten Rescue LA (@kittenrescuela)

Rhys is also giving us more Substack Content previews-- this time of Bill Napier from Short Poppies <3 Wanna subscribe to his substack? Check it out here!

Source: Rhys Instagram

Rhys has announced on his substack (the non-paid content) that he'll be touring next year!

Source: Rhys' Substack

If that isn't enough Rhys for you-- good news! He'll be in Los Angelos at the Largo at the Coronet at 8 PM on October 1! Get tickets here! (Special thanks to Sara for pointing this out!)

Source: Largo LA (found via Sara aka chaoticmulaney on Twitter)

== Kristian Nairn ==

Kristian's book has arrived at his house! He did an unboxing video for everyone to check out! Only a week or so left til release!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kristian Nairn (@kristiannairn)

Oh, Kristian mentioned he was going to be getting a tattoo while and Portland, and hey look, it's Kristian's New Tattoo!

Source: Kristian's Instagram

Need more of Kristian? Well look no further, he's got a new DJ Appearance happening Oct 4, 2024 at the Ministry of Sound Club in London!

Source: Kristian's Instagram

== Vico Ortiz ==

So much news for Vico! First and foremost, Vico was voted a Fan Favorite Out LGBTQ+ Actor in the Autostraddle TV Awards!

Source: AutoStraddle TV Awards

Vico also has some exciting things coming up-- they mentioned an upcoming Momentus Event on their Patreon (free version)!

Source: Vico's Patreon

Looks like Momentus is excited ...and dropping hints!

Source: Be Momuntus Twitter

Vico also had some more pics from Rose City Comic Con they wanted to share--

Source: Vico's Instagram

Vico did some amazing work for Elder Scrolls Online and is seeing some love coming down the pipeline-- they have some BTS up for it on their Patreon if you're interested!

Oh I almost forgot to mention, Vico was featured on Dimelo Season 2 Episode one!

== Con O'Neill ==

Con's new short film, "The Men" is FINALLY coming out on October 25 at the AlnwickPlayhouse! Our friends over at @adoptourcrew were kind enough to let our UK Crew know where and when they could catch it before the rest of the world! Get tickets here!

Source: Adopt Our Crew Instagram

Continued in Part 2!

[cheesy09]

[CN] Kiro's Unbiased Mirroring Mind's Quest (Part 2)

🌸 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! 🌸

[Note: This date was translated with the help of Google Translate]

Note: In order to better engage with this date, please read the main story (Season 1 at least), Clinic Date, and Unconditional Surrender Mind's Quest :>

Read Part 1: HERE

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[PART 4]

MC: I'm home!

MC: Apple Box, you forgot to wipe your feet again! Kiro, help me get the towel, please!

Before Apple Box could run into the house, I grab him and call out into the house.

Kiro: Wait a minute!

After a while, the sound of footsteps begin to grow louder. I lower my head and pick up the scattered fur off of Apple Box and stretch out my hand towards the owner of the footsteps.

MC: Please help me, I can't ever trust Apple Box to wipe his feet... Huh?

I finally find something to be off in my peripheral vision. When I look up, I see Helios' face.

He is dressed in all black and fully armed, as if he is about to go out.

MC: Where are you going...?

Helios: I need to wrap up the BS stuff from the day before yesterday. This'll make it easier to move around.

MC: Oh~ so you're going to be a "bad guy" again.

After that night, I couldn't stop myself from teasing him like this. Sure enough, Helios raises his eyes towards me.

Helios: What sort of "bad guy" would hold a dog and wipe its feet?

Apple Box: Woof!

Apple Box responds as well. Helios holds up its paws and makes an attacking gesture at me.

Helios: If you use that term to tease me again, I will get angry.

MC: Hmph, you can't do anything to me when you're angry. The most outrageous thing that happened was the night before yesterday.

Helios arches his eyebrows a bit after hearing my provocation, as if my retaliation surprised him, and then raises the corners of his mouth.

Helios: Why do I feel... like Miss Chips has gotten a lot more arrogant towards me since that night?

I feel the same way.

After the night, there was indeed a small invisible stone that we both kicked away in tacit agreement.

While there's obviously no change in our dynamic, he seems to be a lot more relaxed than before.

I wipe off Apple Box's last paw and hand him the towel.

MC: Yep, I think a certain someone is satisfied with me as I am now.

MC: Go on~~ Wash the towel before you head out.

Helios: ......

Helios' throat freezes and he narrows his eyes - I have to admit that his current threatening look is indeed a bit more intimidating than Kiro's.

But only a little bit, I internally chastise myself.

We look at each other for about three seconds. Helios obediently takes the towel and goes into the bathroom to clean it.

He rinses out the water and turns around to glare at me.

Helios: I will find a way to "pacify" you.

MC: Yeah, okay~ But before you pacify me, don't forget to kiss me when you go out.

I naturally pucker my lips at him and Helios leans down. Just as our breaths are about to merge, he suddenly steps away.

Helios: ....It's time for the bad guy to go.

A chuckle passes by my ears, and the person in front of me quickly slips out the door. I am left momentarily stunned.

MC: KI! RO!!!

-

Is it possible that that night turned on some strange switch between us?

After Helios leaves, I lay on the sofa and watch TV absentmindedly, replaying the experiences from the past few days in my mind.

It constantly feels like we've gone from accommodating each other to competing with each other.

But this change of dynamic isn't annoying, but more...

MC: ...Tantalizing?

I can't help but cover my face after muttering that word and toss around a couple of times on the sofa.

The cell phone besides me suddenly vibrates twice, and Kiro's text message pops up.

I open the page and find a review link for a private club and a newly opened arcade.

Kiro: Which one do you want to go to?

MC: Are you done?

Kiro: Not yet, I'm currently beating someone up and texting you with one hand.

MC: ?? Kiro, why are you using force to solve things again?

Kiro: Under special circumstances, would you like me to give you a voice call for you to listen to?

Before I can reply, I get his incoming voice call.

MC: ....!

I subconsciously press the connect button and carefully hold the phone away.

??: Boss, what you're doing is completely contrary to our philosophy. Now...

What comes from the receiver isn't a horrifying scream, but an impassioned male voice speaking. I can't help but let out a sigh.

Helios: Did you hear that?

MC: Are you... in a meeting?

Helios' muffled laughter overwhelms the man's voice and reaches my ears.

Helios: Uh-uh. It's been going on for almost two hours.

MC: Then you lied to me about beating someone up!

Helios: I am beating them up.

Helios: Every time I hold a meeting, nothing comes from it except for intrigue, rhetoric and slogans. I beat them all up a hundred times in my mind.

MC: Pfft--

Helios doesn't even lower his voice when he says this. I can clearly hear the choking of a male voice, along with a low laugh coming from the side (A/n: Obviously Hephaestus, HAHA).

??: No one ever takes calls from outsiders at BS meetings. Helios, don't go too far!

Helios: Really? Then I'll be the first.

Helios: Also, the person on the phone is no outsider. Isn't that right, Queen?

Hearing his nervous and cold tone, all I can do is think about how funny and cute he was being, and I'm unable to keep myself from singing along with him.

MC: That's right, how can I be considered an outsider!

Helios: So, how does the "wife" think I should retort to that gentleman just now?

MC: There's nothing to refute. You're the Boss, let him listen to you!

Helios: Okay. [To the others] Queen says she wants you all to listen to me, so shut up.

Helios: [back to MC] Is there something else you wish to convey?

MC: Get off work quickly. A two-hour meeting is already long enough!

Helios: No problem, it'll be over now.

Helios: Don't forget to choose a date location for me.

After hanging up the phone, I carefully look at the two links he sent and send him a reply.

MC: Let's go to the arcade.

-

Even after I arrive at the arcade, my mind is still preoccupied with that phone call from earlier.

The fact is that Kiro rarely ever engages in such provocative high-profile things. He's always had the habit of shouldering responsibility alone first, and then asking me for my opinion.

As long as I show the slightest bit of hesitation or trepidation, he would retreat back to the safest boundary.

And now, when he gives orders to those people without warning, he keeps reminding me of the confession he made while holding my hand on the airship. (Reference to Unconditional Surrender Mind's Quest :>)

The same bravery, the same fearlessness.

I suddenly understand all the love scenes in those third-rate novels and tv shows that I often scorned.

--Turns out that this is really exciting!

I cough and try hard to control my expression so as to not let passers-by notice my mood being on a high.

I feel inexplicably good, and the wait is no longer as boring.

I put in coins and play for a while, but unfortunately I get nothing. So I send a message to Kiro.

MC: I clawed a bunch of air. Waiting for Master Kiro to come and help~

Three minutes later, I send a second message.

MC: This video arcade just opened. There are very few people...

After another five minutes, I sent a third message.

MC: I just took a look at the traffic conditions. Seems like there's a traffic jam. You don't need to worry~

Another ten minutes pass by... Kiro doesn't reply to single message.

Those high-strung emotions begin to ebb, and I become increasingly anxious about waiting. My thoughts involuntarily wander--

Besides the meeting today, did he have anything else to do?

But he was injured before, so he shouldn't be going overboard, he...

I lean against the claw machine. After ten minutes pass after the agreed upon time, unable to hold myself back any longer, I press the call button.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[Memory Silhouette]

In the massive conference hall, the stagnant atmosphere slowly fills the air.

Hephaestus: It's "just" a laboratory for marginal projects, so shut it down and sell it as soon as possible? How generous of you guys.

BS Member: It's not you who invested money and manpower into it. There are many people eyeing this piece of meat, all competing with us.

BS Member: Why not let them have this small profit and use the money to do more profitable business? Wouldn't it be better to support the long-term development of BS?

Hephaestus: What kind of business is so profitable? It wouldn't "happen" to be covered by your industry again, would it?

As soon he finishes speaking, the man throws the document down and turns to Helios like a cat whose tail has been stepped on.

Everyone's eyes are instantly focused on the person in charge.

Helios casually leans back in his chair, twirling his dagger in one hand. His cold eyes do not even focus on the man.

He has long grown tired of these boring conflicts of interest.

Helios: I have nothing to say.

BS Member: That... why?

Helios: Too much nonsense and no focus.

Helios: I don't care what sort of blueprint you have. If you don't have anything practical to say, it's better to keep your mouth shut.

As he speaks, he hooks his dagger with his fingertips and slowly places it on the table. Then he raises his gaze and glances at the man coldly.

Helios: Otherwise, no matter how passionate your tone is, it'll just be an incompetent excuse.

The air becomes quiet, and he vaguely hears the members of BS taking a breath.

BS Member: Understood, I will report a more elaborate plan right now.

An impassioned report sounds again in the conference hall. Unfortunately, the part that implied interests is mixed with too much uncertainty. Helios almost hears through one ear and out the other.

He misses her voice a little.

He taps on his cell phone to send a message to MC, and after receiving a satisfactory response, he directly gives her a call.

BS Member: So you see, Boss--

Helios: Rejected.

BS Member: Boss, what you are doing is completely contrary to our philosophy. Now...

The call connects, and the girl's voice drowns out the man's noisy retort.

Helios: Did you hear that?

Helios can't stop himself from curling his lips when he hears MC respond. Compared to the obscure noises of the meeting, her voice is as clean as a clear spring.

Helios: Every time I hold a meeting, nothing comes from it except for intrigue, rhetoric and slogans. I beat them all up a hundred times in my mind.

The report immediately stops. From the corner of his eyes, he can tell that everyone in the conference hall is obviously shaken. Even Hestia has stopped recording, and Hephaestus can't help but laugh.

The boring meeting reaches its climax, leaving him very staisfied.

So the two of them continue to tacitly sing along, cutting off the meeting in time before it turned into a farce of mutual criticism.

Helios: Okay. Queen says she wants you all to listen to me, so shut up.

Of course, the consequences of making such shocking remarks are subject to a lot of discussion, bringing rise to new topics in the conference hall. Phrases such as "out of line" and "arrogant" are often heard from time to time.

Out of line? All he wants is to be out of line.

Helios nonchalantly holds his phone to his ear, seeming to appear particularly attentive.

Helios: Don't forget to choose a date location for me.

Everyone: ......

This sentence successfully puts an end to the final discussion. Only Hephaestus is unaffected by the uncomfortable atmosphere and shows a mischievous smile.

After hanging up the phone, Helios stands up under everyone's astonished gazes, passes the person giving the report, walks through the extra large conference table and heads straight for the door.

When he passes by Hephaestus, he casually mentions.

Helios: Give me the minutes of the meeting later. If you don't see a breakthrough, break it yourself.

That one sentence makes his position clear. Hephaestus nods, but some members speak up anxiously from behind him.

BS Member: But it's best to have the Boss in charge of the meetings... Are you in a hurry?

Helios doesn't stop, he opens the door and walks out. Only a cold and arrogant voice sounds from afar.

Helios: I'm going on a date.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[PART 5]

Beep-- beep--

The long busy tone strikes my eardrums again and again. As soon as the call finally connects, I speak hurriedly.

MC: Kiro, where are you right now? Why haven't you replied to any of my texts?

As soon as blurt out those words, I realize how off they sounded. After all, it's not like I waited long, so I quickly add on.

MC: I don't mean to rush you, but I'm afraid something might have happened to you on the way...

Helios: Why did Kiro's and Miss Chips' calls become about us worrying about each other again?

Helios interrupts my confession, his voice rising with obvious laughter.

Helios: Well, Obviously the way you spoke to Helios before made you seem very domineering. If I didn't know better, I would've thought there were two Miss Chips switching back and forth.

MC: I...

I am left speechless for a moment. After being treated like this by him, I seem to find that I have some "deferential treatment".

While I feel a little guilty, I can't help but be harsh.

MC: I'm not that sophisticated... I was obviously talking to Kiro, okay?

MC: Do you prefer me when I speak rudely?

Helios: I like your frankness.

He gives me a very straightforward answer.

Helios: Remember what I told you before? That I was worried I didn't give you enough security? (Reference to Unconditional Surrender)

MC: Mm, of course I remember.

He and I have been groping for a solution to this problem, and now, I have a vague feeling that we are close to finding it.

Helios: When you make requests and frankly express your emotions to me, I feel like you're giving all of yourself to me.

Helios: The good, the bad...

Helios: And me taking over all of this is what Kiro really wants to do.

Helios: So tell me, what are your true first thoughts that you want to convey to me?

MC: I....

You can be willful, you can be less scrupulous, and give yourself entirely to him.

I take a deep breath and purse my lips.

MC: I think it's annoying that Kiro hasn't replied to my messages for a long time. I'm growing impatient waiting!

MC: You should explain yourself to me immediately and coax me!

Helios: Hahahahahaha!

Unbridled laughter resounds from the other side. A long time passes before he stops, but his voice is still lilting.

Helios: You're really bad-tempered. That's nice.

Helios: Well... I originally skipped the meeting and wanted to rush over to meet you, but as soon as I got in the car, I was stopped by someone careless.

Helios: However I did follow your instruction and avoided using force myself. Instead I used the power of being the Boss to send them away.

Helios: The atmosphere was so tense at the time that I didn't pay attention to my phone for a moment. So I missed the messages you sent.

Abrupt music mixes into the receiver, accompanying his explanation, as if he was quickly walking through a noisy hallway.

Helios: Fortunately, I didn't miss your call.

Helios: And that concludes my report. Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with it, Miss MC?

MC: So-so.

I hum twice, already sweet and sour bubbles floating around in my heart.

MC: Now it's your turn. After all, you caught on to my feelings, and I need to take care of you.

MC: Kiro, what are your first thoughts?

Helios: Mine?

The sound of the music is clear, and it gradually overlaps with the tune coming from the game console next to me.

I'm not left with much time to put down my phone by the time that familiar breath approaches me.

Helios: When I went out, I still owed you a kiss.

Helios: It's time I made up for it.

A hand covers my eyes.

The shallow pecks have Kiro's taste, but as his entanglement deepens, it gradually turns into a more sensational request.

He ensnares me, trapping me between the machine and his arms, leaving me unable to retreat. All I can do is make do within this square inch of space.

--This isn't the way to kiss when out in public.

My fingers are a little weak and I can hardly hold the phone, so I give up struggling and grab his collar.

Leather, unfamiliar, not a style he often wears.

My covered sight makes it impossible for me to distinguish whether the one kissing me was the golden one or the silver one.

But no matter which one it is, it is Kiro who I love.

At some point, the music above my head has changed, and it seems like a century passes before he lets go of my lips.

With my sight clear, I see Helios' face.

I lick my moist lips, and when I speak, my voice sounds so hoarse that it surprises me.

MC: That... was not your first thought.

Helios: What was?

MC: That you owed me.

No hesitation. I have nothing to worry about around him. I repeat this silently in my mind and grab his collar a little harder.

MC: ...You didn't change back to Kiro's appearance. Is it to make dating easier?

Helios: No.

Helios stares at me, his eyes full of calm.

Helios: I feel that both Kiro and Helios belong to me, so I can show you whichever side I want.

I chuckle and raise my eyebrows at him.

MC: How are you going to show it? Or are you going to show me some Kiro style cuteness first?

Helios: .....

Helios: You really seem to be getting more and more devious.

MC: But you already admitted that you like me like this.

I answer confidently. My fingers loosen his collar and at the same time, slowly slide up his throat, along with his breathing.

MC: Are you really not going to show me my sun god?

MC: I'd love to see it.

His Adam's apple, against which my fingertips are pressed, violently slides up and down. Helios' blue eyes turn into a deeper indigo under the refraction of the light.

Helios: It's a bit weird to act cute with this face, can I ask for a compromise?

MC: What do you want to change?

He restrains my rebellious hand, and before I have time to react, I find myself falling into his arms.

Some overbearing friction renders me unable to move, and his playful laughter kisses the shell of my ear.

Helios: It's inconvenient to show it in an arcade, so I'll tell you another date location.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

Masterlist: Here

[callalillywrites]

A  Dream on a Mean Machine 1

I'm going to start by saying I wasn't expecting this to be such a beast of a first part. That said, I'm not unhappy with the results. I definitely tried to create more tension between the two of them compared to the fluffier stuff I normally write.

Bucky is really such a sweetheart while Steve is a pure menace in this.

Welcome to the first part of my Cool Rider Barber Shop and Hair Salon series.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Other Characters: Reader's brother, Steve Rogers

Word Count: ~7100

Summary: Bucky's going on his first date since getting free from Hydra. In order to look his best, Steve drags him to the Cool Rider Barber Shop and Hair Salon for a haircut and a shave. There, Bucky meets the famous, Stephanie Zinone (Reader's codename), who owns the place and does his hair.

Warnings: insecurities, mentions of violence (nothing too graphic), some language, Steve being a menace, anything I forgot let me know

A/N: I wrote this beast of a story in a few hours. While I did go through and proofread, any mistakes are mine and mine alone. Yes, Reader has a codename (used all of like 4 times), but she's still a reader who may or may not share some personality traits of the character she's chosen for said codename. She's still a blank slate to fill in as you desire.

I do not give permission for my work to be copied or posted on other sites or fed into an AI machine.

“Hey, Stef, you going to be okay?” your brother asked from the back doorway.

You looked up from where you’d been giving your workstation another spot clean. Nothing could be less than perfect for this next client. Not with the obscene amount of money being paid to rent out your entire salon for this new VIP.

“I’ll be fine, Davey. Take the others out to a nice lunch. I should be done here in a couple of hours.”

Your brother hesitated another moment before he finally nodded. His footsteps retreated until you could no longer make them out.

A glance at the clock on the far wall warned you your client should be there any moment.

When you’d spoken to both Pepper Potts and Tony Stark about renting out your salon, they never once mentioned who the client would be. If you had to guess, it had to be an Avenger. A simple agent wouldn’t warrant this level of privacy.

Then again, none of the other Avengers who’ve quickly become loyal clients of your salon never really bothered with having the place vacated for them, either. Sure, they picked the slowest times to schedule their appointments to keep their celebrity down, but that was about the extent of it.

You had to smile at the thought of a new Avenger joining the growing list you already had as clients. If they weren’t yours directly, they came in and worked with one of your fabulously talented employees. The fact that your talented staff came in such high demand had you ready to do a little victory dance where you stood.

It was really a dream come true how far your barber shop and salon had come in the years since you first took over.

All that was missing was someone to share your success with. Someone to call yours and you theirs.

Before you could get too far down that thought trail, a knock came at the front door.

You locked it earlier to keep any would-be walk-ins from trying their luck. Not that your place allowed walk-ins with the clientele you’ve built the last few years.

Going to the door, you smiled upon seeing the golden god of a man known as Steve Rogers.

With a twist of your wrist, the lock released. You pushed the door open and said, “Well, long time, no see, Goldie.”

“Goldie? That’s a new one, Steffy.” Steve chuckled. His eyes always sparkled with a bit of mischief every time he came around. This time was no exception.

Your smile widened. “Well, your hair’s gotten too dark for me to call you Blondie or Honey. So, it’s Goldie now. You my special client? Surprised you want the whole place to yourself. Something I should know about?”

“No, no,” Steve quickly assured before his head shifted to his right. “It’s not for me. It’s for…”

Your gaze followed the direction of Steve’s until it collided with the solidly built man leaning sullenly nearby. At least you thought he appeared sullen until you noted how his gaze never settled in one place for too long. His alertness had gone into overdrive.

A soft exhale was wrenched from you when his gaze landed on you.

Oh.

You’d recognize this man anywhere.

James “Bucky” Barnes, WWII vet and former Winter Soldier turned Avenger.

More importantly, your grandpa’s biggest hero.

Far greater than the blonde standing in front of you.  

How did none of his photos, past and present, do him any justice? It wasn’t fair how handsome this man was as you took in his features without trying to appear too creepy about it. Those steel-blue eyes damn near hypnotized you without trying. They reminded you of a clear Nevada sky. Then, there was his long, dark hair that called out to you and your fingers. It dared you to see if the strands were as silky as you hoped they’d be.

“Buck’s got a date tonight,” Steve said, breaking the silence. “Think you can work your magic for him?”

Well, that news sent a bucket of ice water down your back. It took everything in you not to shiver at the chill and give away your thoughts to these two men.

Instead, you made sure to keep your smile on your face as you nodded. “You doubting my skills, Rogers? Don’t make me buzz that glorious hair. You know I’ll do it.”

Steve’s hands came up in surrender. He quickly stepped into the shop and took a seat in the small waiting area.

You had to bite back a laugh at the way his features shifted from horror to pleading. The poor guy really could look like a kicked puppy when he wanted to. Simply wasn’t fair he could use that face and get away with anything, but then, it was one of the reasons you two had become friends. You really couldn’t resist his sweet face.

It was that sweet face that made you even more determined to find him someone, too.

If anyone deserved all the love they could get, it was Steve Rogers. You weren’t put off, either, after learning that the famous Black Widow was also on the same trail for him. Between the two of you, you were going to get Steve his happily ever after.

“Alright, Goldie, sit there and behave. No more quips about my skills, or you’re next.”

Satisfied Steve would listen, you turned your attention to the man who’d crept in behind you. His quiet steps nearly unnerved you. He really had no right to have all that muscle and build and be so quiet with it.

You gently introduced yourself to him, extending your hand.

His brows drew together as he blurted, “Thought your name was Steffy. Isn’t that what Steve just called you?”

“Codename. We all have them here. Can’t be too careful nowadays. Only a select few know our real names, and that includes you now.” You dropped your hand since he hadn’t tried to take it. Instead, you gestured toward the chairs. “Shall we? You have your pick: T-Bird or Pink Lady.”

The clueless expression on his face had you biting back another smile.

“Ah, another newbie to the musical greatness that is Grease and Grease 2. Come, I’ll educate you while we get you set up.”

You moved around him and stepped further into the salon where he could see the alternating chairs in black and pink design. On the back of the black chairs was the trademark logo of the T-Birds. The pink chairs bore the Pink Ladies trademarks. It was well worth the expense of having.

Nodding toward the different chairs, you continued toward the closet where you kept all your capes and other necessary items.

“Feel free to drape your jacket on one of the other chairs. It’ll be easier to cut your hair without the collar getting in the way.”

You didn’t stop as you spoke, or you would’ve seen the way Bucky froze at your words. The idea of taking off his jacket hadn’t crossed his mind and had him threatening to spiral a bit. While he’d worn a long henley in deep blue, he still wouldn’t be able to really hide his left arm from you. For some reason, he really wanted to hide it from you.

He couldn’t help thinking about how beautiful you were. How confident, too, in your space.

As he took in the shop’s décor, he could almost feel like he was back home in the forties. Sure, there were aspects that didn’t fit, but it had a welcoming aesthetic that called to those old memories.

Soft music played in the background, which you’d turned on near the back wall. While he didn’t know the song, he liked how it reminded him of simpler times. His memories might still be jumbled from all his years under Hydra’s control, but he could pick out pieces here and there.

It took him another moment and a deep breath to remove his jacket.

He set it on one of the T-Bird chairs while he settled into one of the Pink Lady chairs. They didn’t remind him of that awful chair Hydra used to strap him in. The soft leather even felt nice under his hand as he tried not to grip it too tight to leave impressions of his fingers.

“Hey, you okay?” You asked, coming to stand in front of him. A frown had replaced your bright smile, and Bucky already wanted to find some way to bring it back. “We have all the time you need. We go at your pace. Promise.”

As if to solidify your words, you brought up your hand again. This time, you extended your pinky and waited for him to make his move.

You couldn’t quite hide your surprise or your pleased grin when he finally brought his pinky up and looped it with yours.

“Alright, now that’s settled.”

Showing him the cape, you waited for his nod before placing it around him and cinching it loosely at his neck.

“Not too tight?”

He shook his head.

“Perfect.”

You spun the chair until he faced the mirror. It’s not lost on you when he grimaced at his reflection, but you wisely kept your mouth shut for the time being.

“I’m going to touch your hair now, okay? I want to get a feel for its thickness and texture. Stop me if it gets too much.” You kept your voice soft as you spoke, not wanting to spook him.

As before, you waited until he nodded to proceed.

You graced him with another smile for being so cooperative. Your fingers started at the front and gently combed through the locks at his temples until you reached the tips. As you guessed, the strands had a decent thickness with a silkier texture than you first imagined. It wouldn’t have been hard to continue to just run your fingers through his hair. But you had a mission, and you weren’t going to let him down.

What would your grandpa say if you didn’t do your absolute best for Bucky Barnes?

Returning your attention to your job, you met his gaze in the mirror. “Have an idea of what you’d like done? A trim or something a bit more dramatic?”

His eyes clouded while his lips thinned.

You could feel his muscles tense despite her fingers still running through his hair. The tension radiating off him had you wanting to wrap him up in a tight embrace and comfort him. You could well imagine all this had to be overwhelming. That begged the question of why he was going on a date tonight. He didn’t even seem all that thrilled, but then, you didn’t know him well enough to know for sure.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to. With what Stark paid to rent out my place, I’m more than happy to just sit here with you and talk. Or not talk if that’s what you would prefer. You want me to simply wash your hair and style it, I can do that, too. Whatever you want. You have my word, Sergeant.”

His eyes widened while his entire body shifted from tense to shock.

“Yeah, I know who you are. James Buchanan Barnes. Sergeant from the 107th Infantry Division. WWII. POW. Veteran. The man who saved my grandfather at Kreischberg.” You gave him a warm smile, happy to find the tension slowly ebbing out of him.

Deciding it best to continue, you added, “You took his place when they were experimenting on Allied soldiers. Sick as you were, you still stood up for him. He died last year before he got the chance to know you still lived. He did get to see his second favorite hero though before he died.”

Before Bucky could ask, your gaze drifted over to where Steve sat in the waiting area.

“I know everyone adored Cap over there. My grandfather did, too, but he never failed to talk about you more. You certainly left a lasting impression on him. He even named my father after you and Cap. James Steven. A lot to live up to, but my dad was never one to back down from a challenge.”

When you said your grandfather’s name, Bucky’s eyes widened. He remembered that name. Your grandfather had been built a lot like Steve before the serum. It hadn’t been much of a stretch for Bucky to become protective. Your grandfather had been a fresh-faced eighteen-year-old, too, if his memory recalled correctly. How could he not do what he could, sick or not, to keep your grandfather safe from Hydra’s hands?

Another thought niggled its way to the front of his mind, pressing to ask, “Is Steve…”

“A good friend, yeah.”

Resuming your earlier ministrations, you decided to use this time to talk. You both had plenty of time to get to the actual haircut if Bucky changed his mind.

“We actually met during that alien invasion a couple years back. I wasn’t even sure it was him until his helmet thing came off, and I saw his face. He took a nasty hit from one of those Chitauri guys. Knocked him flat onto his hands and knees. Such a cheap, cowardly blow, too. Deserved what it got for doing that.”

“What did it get?”

Your gaze dropped to Bucky’s hair, intent on combing through the strands with your fingers. He’d begun to relax again, and you wanted as much time as you could just being allowed to touch him like this. You had a feeling that could so easily change if he let you get near with your scissors or shaver.

“My best pair of scissors lodged in its neck. Grandpa always loved that you were a sharpshooter. Taught me everything he knew. Competed for several years during my high school and university days. He was also the reason I got into dagger and axe tossing as well. I’m a pretty good shot. As Clint likes to brag, I can never seem to miss.”

“She’s not wrong,” Steve hollered from his seat in the waiting area. “She took that thing down with little effort and cursed it out for ruining her scissors. Never thought I’d hear a dame with a mouth like hers. I still maintain I had it handled.”

“Sure you did, Goldie,” you shouted back, doing your best not to laugh. You failed as your shoulders shook despite your best efforts. Dropping your voice to a whisper, you brought your head closer to his so you weren’t far from Bucky’s ear. “Wanna know the real reason why I call Steve those nicknames of mine?”

Bucky swallowed at your proximity. Everything in him screamed to have you come closer as you continued to soothe him in ways he hadn’t felt in so long. He really wanted you to keep playing with his hair.

When he nodded, you bit your lip before admitting, “He just reminds me of a golden retriever. In the best way though, so please know I mean no offense.”

“You’re serious?”

You nodded, then called out, “Hey, Steve, come here a sec, would ya?”

It didn’t take Steve two seconds to come bounding into the heart of the salon. When he stopped, he shifted from one foot to the other as though he couldn’t settle while awaiting whatever orders you had for him.

You had to bite your lip harder to keep your laughter at bay.

“Can you fetch me that folder from Goose’s station? I wanna let Bucky check out some of the newer styles. See if he likes any of them.”

It took everything in you not to burst out laughing at how quickly Steve followed your orders. He had the folder in hand within moments and erased the distance between you two. When he held it out to you, his head tilted to the side as if awaiting a treat or another command. You just knew he would be wagging his tail if he had one.

“Thanks, Goldie. I’ll let ya know if I need you again.”

Steve nodded, then retreated to the waiting area.

When he was out of sight, you returned your attention to Bucky with a ‘see what I mean’ look.

“That was so wrong,” Bucky said, but a chuckle escaped him. An honest-to-goodness laugh escaped. His eyes scrunched at the corners as he tried to hold back more laughter at his friend’s expense. “You have a mean streak, doll. I like it.”

So lost in the realization that you’d made Bucky laugh, you almost didn’t hear, let alone comprehend, the pet name he’d given you. When you did, you could feel the heat suffusing your cheeks in pleasure.

The folder turned out to be a good idea.

Bucky flipped through the various photos of different styles that had either gained popularity or regained it in the last two years. He finally landed on one that seemed to hold his interest the most.

The model had a shorter, more dramatic cut.

Bucky would be losing all but five-eighths on the sides. The top would keep some length though nothing compared to what he currently had. It’d be enough to keep hair pulling or tugging an option. You always liked guys who kept enough hair on top for gripping, but…

You shut down that thought train before it could get properly started.

He wasn’t cutting his hair for you. Not that you would ever ask him to with how pretty it looked with its current length.

Though, a girl could dream, couldn’t she?

As you continued to study the one he liked, you couldn’t help thinking how he wouldn’t be able to hide behind his hair with this style. His eyes would be allowed to pop, too, when he wore the right colors. This included the henley he was wearing.

Hell, he could probably wear almost anything, and he’d be devastating.

His date was one lucky lady.

Shoving your unprofessional thoughts aside, you picked up your shaver and showed it to him. “This okay? It’ll go quicker than me manhandling your hair with my fingers and scissors.”

“We had them back then, doll. Not as fancy as that one, but they did exist,” Bucky said.

If you knew him better, you would recognize the teasing in his voice as he met your gaze. He actually liked how much care you were taking with him, wanting him to have the best experience at your salon. It’d been a long time since someone had shown him any type of kindness.

When you didn’t move, he realized he didn’t exactly answer your question. He still couldn’t believe that you were holding to your promise not to rush him and check in with him. Not even the other Avengers had handled him with such care since bringing him onboard some months ago.

“Go for it.”

You smiled at him.

Oh, he was getting addicted to your smile. It just brightened the whole room and made him almost believe that he was worthy of it.

Lost in thought, he didn’t see you move behind him. That surprised him as he always kept his guard up, especially around new people. He’d long since learned he couldn’t trust others, not with what he’d done as one of Hydra’s assets. Danger always lurked in strangers’ motives.

Yet, he wanted to trust you.

Steve trusted you. So did the other Avengers.

“Such pretty hair,” he heard you murmur before your hand ran through his locks. He had a feeling he wasn’t supposed to hear that with how low you spoke, but the words continued to ring in his ears and through his mind. He hadn’t been associated with pretty in so long. Maybe never.

The shaver clicked on after another moment, taking the first of many paths across his head. His long locks fell to the ground around him until he had quite the pile surrounding him. Closing his eyes, he let the sound of the shaver and your soft humming lull him until he jerked back to reality when you clicked the shaver off some minutes later.

He couldn’t believe he’d actually nodded off.

That had never happened before.

When he glanced in the mirror, he stared in shock at how different he looked. You weren’t done by any means, but he didn’t look like he had minutes ago. He wasn’t even sure he recognized the guy staring back at him.

“Come on, stud,” you said, nodding toward the sinks. “Let’s wash your hair now, then I can finish up the rest of your new look.”

Again, he chose one of the Pink Lady chairs near the sinks. It took him a little bit to relax before resting his head in the cutout of the sink.

“Doing okay?”

He breathed in and out, then nodded.

You smiled at him. “Yeah, you are. I wish all my clients could be as great as you’re being. I’ll have to see if I can find you a treat when you’re done. I think Rizzo has some lollipops stashed at her station.”

“I don’t need a treat, doll. It’s fine.”

Bucky figured you dropped the argument when you didn’t counter his words. He couldn’t tell if he was more relieved or disappointed that you didn’t.

That thought soon disappeared though.

The water hit him at exactly the right temperature, dousing his head until his hair dripped.

Then, your hands performed their magic with the sweet-smelling shampoo your salon used. The way you massaged the shampoo into his scalp nearly had him moaning aloud. It just felt that good, and he hadn’t been prepared for it. Neither had his body with the way it reacted to your hands in his hair. He’d never been so grateful for the cape covering him.

You soon rinsed out the shampoo and followed it up with a conditioner that had the same sweet smell. Your hands repeated the same process as the shampoo, making his body even more aware of you and your closeness to him.

It really wouldn’t take much to grip your hips and tug you closer. The desire to do just that nearly overwhelmed him. To keep himself in check, his hands gripped the chair.

He could make out the floral notes of the perfume you used. It intoxicated him.

The sweet torment of your touch, smell, and proximity ended all too soon.

Water doused his head once more, removing all traces of the conditioner. It was soon replaced with a towel that quickly collected the stray water droplets that tried to break free and race down his neck as you helped him sit back up.

Before he knew it, you were leading him back to your workstation.

Taking his seat, you moved behind him again and lowered the chair for the first time. You even shook your head as you mumbled, “Tall guys. I just have to like tall guys.”

Bucky swallowed at that. Could you like him? Would that even be possible?

No, he had a date tonight. He shouldn’t be thinking about you like he had a chance when he should be concentrating on his date.

As if you had the same thought, you asked, “Tell me about your date tonight. What’s she like? Or he? They? I don’t want to assume.”

“She,” he said, a small grin at your need to correct yourself. You might have a mean teasing streak, but you weren’t unkind. “I, uh, don’t know much about her. Sam set it up for me.”

“So, it’s a friend of Wilson’s then? He didn’t give you any information on her?” You picked up your scissors and a comb before turning toward him. “I’m going to start in the back and work my way forward. Okay?”

He nodded.

After you got started, he recalled your questions. “She’s not a friend. Sam said I needed to date. Put me on some of those apps. Tinble or something like that.”

Your brows lifted as you bit your lip.

He caught it in the mirror as his eyes haven’t stopped watching you since you started working. It took everything in him to ignore the way your fingers danced through his shorter locks.

Just as it was taking you not to laugh at whatever he said that was so funny.

You soon enlightened him by asking, “You mean Tinder? There’s also Bumble. It’s newer. I can’t blame you for mixing them. There are so many out there nowadays. Makes my head spin with the many options.”

“Do you use them?”

You shook your head. “Nah. Too busy with my salon here. Besides, I know what I’m looking for, and I know I’m not going to find him on any dating app.”

“What are you looking for?”

When you smiled, it had a dreamy quality that had Bucky holding his breath. Oh, how he wished he could be exactly what you wished to have.

To his surprise, your smile turned cheeky when you said, “I’m looking for a dream on a mean machine.”

Whatever he’d been expecting, it hadn’t been that.

Steve’s loud laugh echoed through the shop, having heard her answer from the waiting area. The punk followed it by saying, “Thanks for that, Steffy. I got that reference.”

“You should, Goldie. It’s a requirement you know it if you’re wanting to be a client here at Cool Rider.”

Now, that had Bucky’s attention. Before he could stop himself, he blurted, “You have requirements for your clients?”

“Just the Avengers. Well, mainly Tony. Such an insufferable ass though he does have a few good points to redeem himself now and then.”

That didn’t answer his question at all, but you weren’t finished thankfully.

“After saving Steve that day, he was the first to stop by my salon. He really liked the aesthetics. Reminded him of the old days. While he didn’t know anything about Grease or the best musical ever, Grease 2, he kept coming back. Eventually, he brought some of the other Avengers with him.”

You snipped several small swathes of his hair before you continued.

“One of those times, Tony tagged along. That man, I swear, wouldn’t stop commenting on my Grease theme and décor. Then, he had the nerve to tell me he’d never seen either film. After all his badmouthing, I’d had it. Told him I refused to service him again until he watched the movies and could be quizzed on both.”

A small chuckle escaped.

“He had no idea I was mainly teasing him, but the threat worked. From what Steve told me, Tony made all of them have a movie night where they watched both musicals. He even came up with every possible question I could quiz them on and made them answer each question correctly. Never would’ve guessed I had that much power over a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. Did I get that right, Goldie?”

“Yeah, sounds about right,” Steve hollered back. “He’s been complaining about his hair getting too long, so I’d expect an appointment soon from him.”

“And why didn’t you tell me this earlier? You know we need all the warning we can get when it comes to Tony, Goldie. He always shuts down my place at the worst times. Doubling my rate. Tell him that, won’t you?”

Steve acknowledged he heard you.

Satisfied, your voice returned to normal as you shifted to Bucky’s left side.

He did his best not to tense at your proximity to his metal arm. If you hadn’t mentioned it, then he didn’t want to point it out. Maybe there was a chance you didn’t know he’d been used as a weapon for so long. Though, he had his doubts as you’d known everything else about him.

“So, where are you taking your date tonight?” you asked, changing the subject with a quickness that Bucky feared he wouldn’t ever be able to keep up with you.

How he wanted to do just that surprised him, too.

He finally named the restaurant. It was a fancy place that Tony had set up for him, which meant at least a nice suit and tie. Both of which, Bucky really couldn’t stand to wear.

Maybe he wouldn’t mind so much if his date was anything like you.

Stop it!

“I’ve heard some nice things about that place, but you really strike me more as a smaller, cozier type of restaurant guy. Any reason why you chose something so fancy?” You paused then as though the words you just spoke finally hit you and the implications you’d made with them. Horror entered your eyes as they met his in the mirror. “That was…so rude of me. I apologize. I shouldn’t have made assumptions like that.”

Bucky shook his head, letting his smile emerge albeit awkwardly. “It’s fine. I know you didn’t mean any offense. Tony made the reservation. Told me to wine and dine her with the best the city had to offer. But you are right about me.”

Relief washed through you. Your smile returned as you finally asked, “Name your favorite place then.”

There was no hesitation as he named a little Italian bistro near your salon and the Tower.

Your smile grew. “That’s one of my favorites, too.”

He bit his tongue before he could think about asking you to join him there sometime.

Silence fell between you for the next few minutes.

In that time, you finished clipping his hair down to the right length and adding some layer and texture to it. You moved from his left to his front and finished on his right. Your movements had been smoothly fluid. Almost like a dance you’d learned long ago.

He had to admit he was mesmerized watching you work so quickly and efficiently. Watching you move the way you did. You never seemed to second guess where you needed to cut or the way it would look once you did.

That was something he’d never really experienced outside of the jobs he’d been forced to do for Hydra. Get in, get out with the least amount of mess left behind. He’d been good at it. As sick as it was to admit, he knew it was the main reason the newly reformed SHIELD even allowed the Avengers to take him on. Fury wanted him for his expertise with quick, efficient asset recovery and cleanup. Extract and sanitize wrapped in nicer packaging all over again.

It wouldn’t do to dream of being anything more. To dream about being with someone like you. You deserved someone without half the baggage he came with. You deserved someone more like Steve if he was being honest.

He really needed to put you out of his mind before you nestled too deep. Before you could manage to sneak your way somewhere even more locked away than his head. A place like his heart.

Crazy. It was crazy.

The two of you had just met. He shouldn’t feel like this about you.

Yet, he couldn’t deny that he did. He really did. That scared him, too.

You would never be safe with him in your life. Compared to the other Avengers, he would always be a target, and anyone attached to him would have the same mark on them. It would only be a matter of time before you’d had enough of him and being in constant danger because of him.

No, it was better to make this the first and last time he ever saw you.

Even if it hurt him to never see you again.

Something dark had entered Bucky’s mind. You could sense it in the way he tensed his muscles before forcing them to release, only to repeat the cycle all over again.

You had to find some way to distract him.

Landing on his face, you noted the way his full beard didn’t really fit with his shorter hair. As much as you liked its fullness, you could see the potential of trimming it down close to his face. It might even lessen the strain you could make out around his mouth.

Okay, you really shouldn’t focus too much on his mouth. You really didn’t need to go down that road, or you might start thinking about what kissing him would be like.

Get it together, you silently admonished yourself.

Even still, you couldn’t stop yourself from running a finger along his bearded cheek, drawing his attention back to you.

“Your beard is beautiful, but a trim might be in order. What do you think?”

You mentally high-fived yourself for how normal you made yourself sound right then. Hopefully, you could keep it up until he finally left your salon, ready for his date that evening.

“I, uh, whatever you think is best,” he said, his voice deeper than it’d been before.

Could it be that you affected him as much as he did you? Oh, now that was a dangerous thought.

Bringing yourself back, you shook your head. “Against the rules, stud. It’s your decision whether the beard stays or goes, not mine. I will say that our beard trims and shaves come with a facial massage and skin treatment.”

He shifted in his seat.

You could make out his hands rubbing up and down his thighs. Even without the cape, you recalled the way his legs had filled out his tight jeans. The man had actual thighs of steel.

He finally nodded. “Okay.”

“Okay, what?” You couldn’t help prodding him a little. After all, you needed to hear the words. If this was going to be his show, then he needed to decide and say it clearly, so you understood. After all his years of having no control over his life, you wouldn’t take even a second more from him if you could help it.

“I think it’s time for a shave, too. Go big or go home, right?”

You smiled. “Right.”

Since your station didn’t normally carry any of the items you’d need, you headed over to Goose’s station and picked through what he had. Thankfully, you had understanding employees who didn’t mind sharing when something came up. Plus, Goose’s equipment surpassed those of Kenickie or DiMucci.

Not wanting him to get nervous while you set up, you decided to ask him another question. It was nice to hear how he opened up in a way you had a feeling he didn’t do all that much with others.

“Well, we’ve covered who your date is and where it’s taking place. How about what you’re driving to get yourself there? It’s safe to assume you’ll be wearing a nice suit, so…” You allowed your words to trail off in the hopes he’d picked up from there.

Bucky didn’t disappoint you, either.

“Well, I don’t have much besides my bike, but I could always take the bus or subway to get there.”

“He’s taking one of Tony’s lesser fancy cars,” Steve offered so helpfully, still eavesdropping with little to no shame. You could almost imagine he wore a shit-eating grin every time he jumped into the conversation to appear so helpful. “I think Tony mentioned one of his BMWs.”

“Of course, he did,” you mutter, shaking your head.

Tony Stark was nothing if not pretentious in the types of cars he liked to drive and be seen in. You couldn’t really see Bucky wanting to drive something like that, but then, you doubted he’d have much choice with the restaurant he was going to.

Deciding to keep that observation to yourself, you said instead, “Well, it’s nice to see Tony knows how to share.”

With everything in hand, you headed back to your station to drop them off, then went off to retrieve a hot towel.

“I’m going to cover your face for a few minutes,” you held the towel up for Bucky to see, “but I won’t be far.”

His grin appeared again. Almost cheeky in the way one side curved up as he said, “I’ll be fine, doll.”

Oh, you just knew he was aware of the effect he had on you. It simply wasn’t fair when you were certain you didn’t have the same power over him. The nerve of this man to call you ‘doll’. It was so wrong the power of the pet name had, going straight to the heart. A dangerous man indeed.

Shoving those thoughts aside with all the other inappropriate ones you had for this man, you covered his face, taking an extra moment or two to ensure the towel covered him. No folds were in sight. You spared another moment or two of massaging his face through the towel to ensure it sat properly.

Satisfied, you went to work on building up your favorite lather, also stolen from Goose’s stash. You preferred this gentle soap as it had little fragrance and tended not to irritate clients’ skin.

To your surprise, he broke the silence with a question. “What do you think of flowers?”

Your brows rose before they drew together, unsure what his question hinted at. There were so many different directions you could answer it, but you didn’t want to say the wrong thing and put him off. So, you did one of your worst pet peeves. You answered his question with a question. “What about them?”

“Guys still bring them for their dates these days?”

Oh.

How did that make him so much hotter?

You seriously needed to get a grip on yourself or risk falling hard for a man that would never be yours.

“Not so much, no,” you finally managed to say before quickly adding, “but I think they’ll be a nice, unexpected touch. Is that what you did before the war? Bring flowers to your girl?”

“Girls,” Steve offered up. “Buck was never without a girl on his arm. Sometimes, two if I was meeting up with him. Pity date and all that for the scrawny Brooklyn boy.”

“Steven Rogers, you are not a pity date for any woman. Now or back then. I’ve seen pictures of you, and there was nothing wrong with you. It was always their loss if they didn’t see the rare gem you were and still are.”

You lifted the towel off Bucky’s face and flashed him a smile. Your voice dropped low, so Steve wouldn’t overhear as you said, “Your past doesn’t define who you are, either. Sure, it’s a part of you, but so is the man you are now and the one you were before Hydra got their hands on you. You are worthy of every bit of love you can find in this world.”

Bucky’s Adam’s apple bobbed several times.

“I see it now.”

“What’s that?” Your brows drew together.

Bucky’s lips curved up at the corners. “Why Steve likes you so much. I get it now.”

You beamed at him. His praise meant far more than it should for such a short acquaintance. Yet, that didn’t stop you from having to blink back tears before they managed to run down and mess up what little makeup you’d put on that day.

“Alright, mister, let’s get you finished up for your big date. You’re going to knock her socks off if I have anything to do with it.” If your own socks were already knocked off, then that would be your secret and yours alone.

The first few strokes of the lather brush felt a bit awkward since it’d been a minute from the last time you shaved a client. It came back to you though and soon you had him covered with the first application. When you were satisfied, you rushed over to grab a second towel from the warming rack.

With the same care as you used before, you placed it over Bucky’s face, molding it to the lather. You shot him a small grin as you whispered, “Doing so good here, stud. Almost done.”

Goose’s everyday straight razor took a minute to sanitize and reset with a new blade. He preferred using single-use blades for their easier disposal over sanitizing and reusing a conventional straight razor. That wasn’t to say he didn’t have one, but no one, not even you as his friend and boss, were allowed to touch the reusable one or its strop. That was his and his alone. His most prized possession.

With the razor intact and ready to go, you turned back to find Bucky’s eyes on you. You did your best to hide the warmth his gaze caused, but you were almost certain you failed at this point.

To hide the way he affected your nerves, you quickly removed the first lather you applied and the towel covering it. You’d never been so satisfied than in that moment to see it all came off without missing a spot on his face or neck.

“Alright, stud, I’m going to need you to stay as still as you can for me. I’ll make this as quick and painless as possible. Really don’t want to nick your handsome face before your date tonight, okay?”

The small grin he shot you had you nearly dropping your lather cup. “I’ll do my best, doll.”

“It’s not nice to tease a lady with a razor, Sergeant.”

The nerve of this man, you couldn’t help thinking as he didn’t appear the least bit repentant.

Not to be outdone, you lathered him up again, making sure you covered every inch you needed before you picked up the razor and made the first of many gentle scrapes across his skin. Muscle memory had you finishing up within minutes of starting.

The rest of his shave went smoothly until you got to the last step.

“Which one do you prefer?”

You held up two bottles of aftershave, letting him take and inspect them at his leisure. One had a spicier scent while the other had a cleaner, more natural scent to it.

He chose the latter.

It took you moments to pat it into his skin until you were certain you’d done your job well. The same moments you realized you would shortly be forced to say goodbye to him.

Before you could think better of it, you leaned into his space and pressed your lips as softly as you could to his cheek.

His breath hitched at your action, but he didn’t appear upset.

Taking that as a win, you retreated with a small smile. “A good luck kiss for your date tonight. It was an absolute pleasure to meet you, stud, and to work with you. I really hope we’ll get to do it again.”  

*****

Main Masterlist

If you'd like to be tagged, reply to me here or message me. I do expect Bucky's story to span a couple more parts. If you want to be tagged for the whole series with the other characters, please reply to the master post.

[unproduciblesmackdown]

yea.... 😭😭😭

now my logical followup is rewatching rogue one for the first time since seeing it (multiple times) in theaters i believe? Will i cry a lot, which i am always prone to do w/media & things but all the more so lately, it seems

[myg-butterfly]

Nothing New (TEASER)

Idol!Bts x Choreographer!Reader

Hurt/Comfort, ANGST, Eventual Fluff, Jealousy, and Insecurities

Release Date: TBA

A/N: Hi guys! This one has been in the works for a WHILE, I keep getting stuck in certain parts, but I'll be done soon! For now, here is the little preview I posted about like a week ago. I hope you enjoy! Kissies and huggies!

.

Finally, a long-awaited date with all of you. The boys were filled with energy, talking and joking on the ride there, and you felt your heart growing lighter: you still had them.

They even helped you get off the car with all the gentleness in the world, helped you get in your seat and made sure you were completely comfortable.

The lightness quickly weighed down into something much heavier when you saw Joanna walk in and make her way to the table.

And the weight felt like it had been dropped to you feet when the guys scooted to make space for her, Namjoon even standing up to hug her and letting her sit first so she'd be in between him and Jungkook.

How long has it been since they hugged you with such happiness?

"Oh my god, Y/N, hi! The boys didn't tell me you would be here."

Something about the way she said "the boys" made your hands itch, almost as much as your throat itched to say 'likewise'.

"Welp. I'm here. Haha."

Dinner wasn't fun, to say the least.

Joanna was blatantly saying shit to embarrass you the entire time, and it even worse, your boyfriends seemed to be soaking up her every word, laughing whenever she pointed out something embarrassing about you when she knew you in high school.

"Yeah! And when we choreographed together, she would always forget her parts." She lets out a giggle and Hoseok laughs too: what's so funny?

"It was only once or twice." You groan, mostly to yourself, but Joanna hears it.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Everyone laughs at her words again and suddenly, you start to think that staying home was the better option.

"I've always said she has the memory of a goldfish. Sometimes it felt like I was doing all the work because i constantly had to step in and help when Y/N froze up."

She turns to you to ask her next question:

"How are you doing now that I haven't been here to clean up after you? Are you making Jimin do it?" She laughs and nudges Jimin, who's sitting next to her, on the shoulder, and he happily shoves back with a bright smile on her face.

"I'm fine, it's rare that I forget stuff lately." 

She gasps in a dramatic manner - you wish she would just disappear already.

"You? Not wasting time in rehearsal? Because you forgot? That's unheard of!"

You hate the way pretty much all of the guys laugh at her words: they know how much work you've put into being a good choreographer. Why were they laughing at you? 

Suddenly, you feel the person next to you pressing up closer against you: Seokjin.

You look at him and he has a soft smile on his face, but not towards Joanna; his entire focus is on you. 

"You have a really good memory darling. We can tell you've worked on it." The knot in your stomach softens its grip after hearing Seokjin's words, and for the first time since you got here, your smile is genuine.

"Anyways, how'd you injure yourself?"

"Oh, we were doing some cardio and I tripped. Fell at an awkward angle and it twisted my leg. Haha."

Joanna laughs a little too hard at this.

"I've always also said that for a supposed dancer you sure are clumsy as hell."

Some of the guys giggle at her comment, and you look down at your lap: why were they laughing at you? 

Out of the corner of your eye, you see Seokjin sit up a little straighter, and you suspect he's gonna say something.

"Supposed dancer?" He raised a brow and to most people, it would've seemed like he was just egging onto the joke, but you and the rest of the table could tell that there was a serious undertone to his question.

It was no secret in your relationship with the guys that Seokjin had a specific soft spot for you – in a relationship as big as yours, its bound that all of you will have your weak spots for one another: Jungkook and Namjoon, Jimin and Taehyung, Hoseok and Yoongi, you and Seokjin. 

So you were more than relieved when he met your gaze; he knew you were uncomfortable. 

And as everyone knows, he's not one to stay quiet. 

"I just mean it's surprising that for someone so clumsy she went into the professional world where coordination is crucial."

Jungkook uses this point to tease Namjoon, and thankfully the attention is taken off of you. You catch Seokjin's stare again and this time it's accompanied with an apologetic smile and him reaching out his hand to hold yours. 

As your hands meet on top of the table, you seem to be the only one who notices the look Joanna sends you at the display of affection.

............................