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l0ngschl0ngking · 2 years ago

Text

Not the person I once knew

Joel Miller x f!reader

summary: past lovers reunite after many years…and then what?

warnings: SMUT (vaginal fingering, oral-m!receiving, protected p in v -i know, shocker-, biting, choking, overstimulation al liiil’ possesive!Joel -just a smudge-), ANGST, mentions of death and shootings, thoughts and mentions of suicide, cursing, Joel and reader being two idiots that cannot express how they feel and…fluff because I can’t help myself

word count: 10k ( yeah the zero is supposed to be there)

A/N: I am too jumping on the Joel Miller train. This fic actually has plot and it’s not just a straight up porn which is shocking :D. Also I am actually crazy - I have a week off from school and that’s why I write that much. I can’t stop - literally.

Your feet were aching – you've had to walk at least 20 or so kilometers by now – and the cold was biting your skin most unpleasantly – finding a good winter coat or any kind of winter clothes was not easy in this fucking Outbreak. You started to feel thirsty and tired and all you wanted to do was lie down and fall asleep – maybe death by cold wasn't the worst fate you could've endured.

Your mind quickly flashing to your group – you've killed most of them, the snarling of them still ringing in your ears, the smell of gunpowder lingering in your nose. You've done what you had to do – one of your guys got infected and infected almost all of the other ones – the ones that survived either left to fend for themselves which you thought was the stupidest thing ever or killed themselves – fucking cowards. Their blood stuck to you like a second skin – the smell of iron making you uneasy when you started to think about it. Maybe you should've killed yourself too. What was the point in surviving now, anyways? You didn't have a group anymore and you had no supplies anymore. Sure, you could eat the snow for water intake and try to hunt something – but you felt too exhausted for that. Your knees buckling – you fall into the cold snow – you hear something then. Voices, the sound of horses neighing and a…dog? Were you starting to hallucinate? You weren't though – the sounds getting louder and clearer – you quickly scramble to your feet and grab your pistol but you pale when you see how many of them are there – all of them looking more sure of themselves on their horses and with their guns raised on you. The dog barks at you, snapping and growling and you've never thought that you might die getting robbed and then mauled by a dog – though they did not look like raiders. Their clothes look clean and kind of new – compared to your worn and torn-off jacket at least.

Someone says something but you don't hear them – your gaze focused on the dog, your pistol pointing at the handler. You've always been a dog lover – before the Outbreak at least – but this didn't look like he wanted to be friends with you.

“Hey, I said drop your fucking gun or I'll shoot your head clean off!” One of them says – repeating himself – and you gulp dryly doing what he says – you were a fighter but also you weren't stupid. There were too many of them and even if you had good aim you wouldn't be able to shoot your way out of this. The guy who addressed you squints his eyes when you lower the gun to your feet – he gestures for you to kick it further and you reluctantly do so.

“Listen here, cowboy,” you sass when you see the cowboy hat on his head, “I was just passing by – my group is dead, they got infected and-” at your words everyone grips their guns a little tighter – the person holding the dog loosening the leash a little in his hands. “Whoa, whoa, I am not infected, I swear.” You sound desperate and you are – you probably should have blown your fucking head of yourself when you still had the chance.

“We will see about that.” One of them gruffs – you guess it's the one closest to you, the one on your right – and you have the urge to break his nose. Yeah, if you were in their position you wouldn't trust someone either but you are not – and you feel pretty fucking terrified – even after years of survival. “Release Buckley!” The first one – the one with that stupid cowboy hat – says and then you see the big ball of fur running towards you. Closing your eyes you pray that he can't smell any jerky on you – you know so he could nibble on your fingers a little and get a taste of you. The pain of teeth digging into you as you expected doesn't come and so you open one of your eyes – you see that the dog's tail is wagging and a grin slowly makes its way on your face. You slowly bend one of your knees - you are not getting any younger and pain shoots through your leg – but you ignore it and start petting Buckley. He's not that bad when he doesn't look like he wants to eat you alive.

A high-pitched whistle cuts through the air and then he is gone – heeling opposite to the person who previously handled him. They don't say anything more and start to slowly turn their horses on their heels when an idea comes to your mind – they look well-fed and clean, and you feel hungry enough that you would eat practically anything. The exhaustion creeps back up at you after the adrenaline wears off and you shout a quick “hey” - their heads turning in question. You offer them a little smile, kicking your feet into the snow and putting your gun back.

“You guys have a place for one more hungry stomach? I just want something to eat – maybe a few hours of sleep and then I'll be out of your hair. Pinky promise.” you grin and show off your pinky finger – you've always had a way of trying to make the situation lighter than it really was and now that you know they don't pose any tŕeal threat – for now at least – you get your hopes up. All of them share a quick look before the one with that stupid cowboy hat – who wears something like that in the middle of the winter – nods and your grin spreads wider. You grab one of the hands that reach towards you to pull you on a horse – and when you are finally on its back, you stroke its muscular thigh lightly. Maybe this day was not so bad after all.

When you arrive at Jackson it is almost noon. You raise both brows when you see the wooden heavy gait in front of you– the people patrolling their stations curiously looking back at you. When you asked them if you could come with them you didn't expect a whole fucking community of people in a small town with electricity and other necessities – your eyes wandering to the various small buildings that look like shops more so than something where you could take shelter. When you asked them if you could come with them you expected a flimsy building without windows in which you would hardly make a fire. You aren't surprised anymore why they acted so tough – families lived here, old couples and people of various ages. A small flicker of hope goes straight to your heart – maybe you could stay here – you were tired of fighting to live another day. And this looked like a great fucking place.

The guy that was riding with you dismounts the horse – helping you do the same and you pet the animal – thanking it quietly. People don't really look at you – at least not so openly as the ones that were taking patrol – they are doing their own things – some of them just crossing the street, others helping to build a new building – you wonder what that is going to be for – a group of kids runs right in front of you squeaking. They play and your heart aches – it's the first time you've seen kids be so carefree since the outbreak happened – it looked like their childhood was not ripped from them. One of the kids – a young girl no older than 6 – looks almost like Sarah – curly wild hair, big eyes and the cutest dimples you've seen adorn her face – and you feel a pang of hurt in your heart. Reaching for your necklace you squeeze the ring that is on it tightly in your palm – Joel and Sarah would love it here.

The man you've called cowboy asks you something and you turn to look at him – he's quite handsome but he is a lot younger than you for sure – he has this boyish innocence still written all over his face when you pin him with your stare. “Sorry, what did you say?”

“I will accompany you to the canteen. Tommy is already waiting there, a few men that were with us already informed him about your arrival.” He sounds formal. Too formal – as if his words were learned. Like a little boy scout you think. Images of Tommy Miller through your mind and you grin fondly at the memory of him – you could never imagine him being a leader of a community like this.

“Lead the way, cowboy.” You don't miss the way that the boy's ears gain a darker shade of red and so do his cheeks.

When he leads you to the canteen – you can't believe that they have a real freakin canteen here – you look around because you can't take it all in at once. Jackson looks like an old town from some kind of cowboy movie – maybe that's why the boy wears the stupid hat. A few people on the way politely greet you and you greet them back. When you arrive at the canteen the bo points to the man that has his back turned back on you and before you can thank him – has gone. The lights adorning the room are a nice touch – it looks old school here – old wooden chairs, and tables with plaid cloth scattered across the room, and you can see an old Coca-Cola freezer from the corner of your eye. Your steps are much lighter – even though you are still hungry and tired you're at least not cold anymore, the temperature here is not as cold as outside. The man that cowboy pointed at talks to someone – an older lady with a high-pitched voice with pretty blue eyes – and you wait before they end their conversation, standing to the side. The lady whispers something to him – you can see her lips moving but don't hear anything – and then the man turns and looks at you. If you have something in your hands right now you would for sure drop it.

Tommy fucking Miller was standing a few steps away from you. He looked older – of course – and his hair was a lot longer than you'd last seen him, the mustache he was sporting suited him. You saw the way he scrunched his brows together – as if trying to categorize you to one of his people – and then you saw the realization cross his eyes. His hands drop to his sides and when you whisper a hushed “Tommy ?” he was right in front of you – hugging you close to his body. The hug was desperate and you felt the tears you held back falling from your eyes – the palms of his hands soothingly caressing your back. After a few minutes or was it seconds he pulls away from you and you have so many questions but none of it comes out of your mouth – the lump in your throat not allowing you to. If he was here – alive and breathing – did it mean Sarah and Joel were here too? Or…No, you couldn't think that way. You had buried the memories of Millers a long time ago – but now, seeing Tommy here? He gave you hope.

“Wow-uh, I’d thought I’d never see you again, Doc.” The small nickname of endearment falling from his lips makes you sob and he softly grabs your elbow so you two could sit at the nearest table – a young woman quickly rushes to your side when Tommy gestures with his hand for her to come and he whispers something in her ear – just now you can see the few people scattered around staring at you curiously.

“Tommy-I-is-is Joel here too? And Sarah.” You grab the ring on your necklace tighter – you've been dreaming of this moment for too long – and he looks at your hand noticing the shiny thing attached to the chain on your neck. The engagement ring Joel proposed with.

“I-uh- I'll tell you everything but you need to eat first, Doc, alright?” You don't feel hungry anymore but you nod – noticing the look in Tommy's eyes makes you uneasy – but he offers you a smile and you offer one right back reaching for his hand – squeezing his hand in yours.

You sit and listen to Tommy talk – you aren't sure if minutes pass or hours – but your eyes nurn from all the crying and you feel your stomach drop with your heart multiple times during Tommy's story telling how he – they – come up here. How Joel was desperate to contact you – you were in Houston on a quick trip with your friends at the time, to look for the wedding dress – seems stupid when you think about it right now. How they killed Sarah – your sweet little Sarah, you thought of her as your own, you've lived with her for almost three years and that girl adored you and you adored her right back – you cannot imagine the pain Joel felt when she was killed right in his arms. Tommy tells you about Joel's suicide attempt too – how he didn't see any purpose in life when both his daughter and fiance were not around anymore, he didn't know if you were still alive. He tells you about his wife, how he got here – how he joined Fireflies for a while and you have the urge to punch him when he says that – you have a distaste for that motherfuckers. He tells you about Ellie – not much though – but enough to figure out Joel cares about that girl a whole lot. And most importantly he announces to you that both of them are here and you almost jump out of your chair to go and find him – but Tommy quickly grabs your elbow and stops you. He tells you about how Joel changed a lot – but so have you. When you tell him that he just shakes his head – you don't understand.

“Doc, I don't know how he will react seeing you after 20 years. He is not the person you once knew. I think you should sleep on it first.”

You want to protest but the sound of the door opening and the rushed call of “Tommy!” stops you. You look at who interrupted you and it's a girl close to Sarah's age. She has short brown hair tightened up in a ponytail and a pair of brown eyes. She has a scar across her brow and when she stops next to Tommy and mutters a quick fuck – you know it's Ellie. Joel's Ellie.

“I heard there's someone new in town and I was super curious – Joel told me to wait for him but then he started playing on his stupid guitar and-” he still plays on a guitar. That pulls a little smile on your face. The girl seems like she didn't even notice you and Tommy wants to open his mouth when Ellie seems finally acknowledges your presence.”Fuck, it's you. You're the new person.” Tommy scolds Ellie when she curses but you just grin at her attitude and seemingly “I want to know and also do know everything ” mindset.

“It's okay, Tommy. God knows I curse a lot too. Hi, Ellie.” She seems confused about how you know her name and you've missed talking to kids – God you have missed your job so much, after all, that's how you and Joel met. Sarah broke her leg and when the nurse told him you could finally see them he was more nervous than a mouse being chased by a cat. He was so worried about Sarah that he didn't even notice you ogled him after you were all done with Sarah – but of course, she did. She was a sweet kind and when they left she muttered to her father he should definitely ask you on a date – he just shook his head and told her not to be silly – you were too pretty for him. Turned out you lived close by and from their visit you've started seeing both Sarah and Joel a lot more outside your work. It was you who finally got the courage to ask the hot single dad out – you will never forget how he gaped at you seemingly not trusting his own voice to answer so Sarah quickly jabbed him in the ribs and said that: “he would very much like that” - he was talking her ear off about you even unknowingly so.

“Okay, how the fuck do you know my name and who are you because it seems you and Tommy are big buddies here. Just so you know he has a wife.” She says matter of factly and you think you like this kid a lot – you can see why Joel does too.

Tommy clears his throat. “Ellie, this is Doc.” He says and he doesn't even notices the fact he called you your nickname – you see the way Ellie's brows scrunch up in confusion. “She's a long lost…family.”

“What, are you like their sister? If so you for sure received all the pretty genes – though Joel never said anything about ever having a sister.” She's a lot more talkative than you thought she would be and you think it might be because she finally has a place that she can call home and not worry about stranger danger – at least not that much.

You chuckle. “No I am…” you look at Tommy to see if you can say who you are – though you don't know if Joel still thinks of you as his fiánce – after all, it's been 20 years. He just nods. “ I am Joel's fiánce” You can hear her gasp and say “holy shit!?” - most of the people in the canteen turn their heads to throw her a nasty look. Well, that much at being discreet

“You are Joel's dead fiánce? You don't seem that dead to me.” She mutters that last sentence as she starts inspecting your face and scrunches her nose at you. “You smell.” She states matter of factly and Tommy scolds her once again but you just shrug your shoulders at him.

“It's true, Tommy. No harm in being honest.” If Ellie knows about you it meant she must know about Sarah too and it also must mean Joel talked about you to her. That fact makes your heart build a little faster. Maybe…maybe he still cares about you – logically you know he does, he was a very loyal man back in the days too – but still, it makes your cheeks heat up.

“Joel will lose his mind! You have to see him like right now!” she sounds enthusiastic and you are too – seeing Joel after 20 years? You've been dreaming of this moment for so long…Tommy interrupts your little fantasy – clapping his hands he throws a look at Ellie and smiles at you.

“I think it's for the best if you showered first, Doc As Ellie said you don't smell so fresh and maybe a reunion with your husband would be a lot happier if you don't make his whole house stink, eh?” You regularly nod and when Tommy says you can shower at his Ellie says she will come with you – she asks you a lot of questions about yourself – where you grew up, what did you do before Outbreak, where did the nickname Doc come from – she says you are super cool when you answer her you were pediatrician before everything went to shit. She asks how you and Joel met and you answer her truthfully – you've never liked lying. Tommy just walks next to you and listens – you look at him from the corner of your eyes and see he is thinking – he always has this look on his face – his brows are scrunched and his lips are set in a thin line. Joel has that look too when he thinks about something or concentrates – it was your favorite quirk of his.

The walk is quick and you meet Mariah – she's sweet – she offers you clean clothes and when she closes the door behind you so you can take a shower – you exhale loudly. Knowing that Joel is here and that you will see him made your stomach twist in anticipation. Ellie hangs back downstairs with Mariah and Tommy and you can hear their hushed voices – you are pretty sure that they are talking about you. You want to quickly hop in the shower but when you do it's like heaven on earth – the first spray of hot water hits your sore muscles and you feel yourself start to relax. You haven't had a hot shower since the beginning of the outbreak and you missed it so badly. You try to scrub all of the grime and blood from your skin and hair but it seems like mission impossible and you stay in the shower for far longer than the 10 minutes you said. When you step out of the shower you look at yourself in the mirror – at your face and the bags under your eyes, at your body scattered with scars and the thought of Joel not liking what he will see quickly flashes through your mind but you push it away just as quickly as it came – this was a different world. You wrap the fluffy towel around yourself and sigh in bliss. The clothes Mariah gave you fit you and maybe it's that much of your style – but they are clean and smell like they were just pulled fresh out of the washing machine. When you come down quickly the banter stops between the three of them and you can hear Ellie say that “great, you finally don't look like shit”. She grabs you by the arm and leaves the house – dragging you through the streets of Jackson. She walks quickly for someone so small and you try to keep up with her – the new winter coat you wear is flowing behind you with the speed you are walking.

When you arrive at the house Joel and Ellie live you try to catch your breath muttering that you are not as young as you used to be – Ellie just rolls her eyes and steps on the porch which creaks under her footsteps. You like the house – at least from the outside – you imagined something like that when you planned to move with Sarah and Joel after you two marry.

“So, we are here. Take off your boots when you come in – Joel hates cleaning up the snow I leave behind when I come in and walk in boots through the house.” You nod but then she is pushing you in and you throw her a scared look.

“You are not coming with me?” You hiss and she just shakes her head as if it was the stupidest thing she has ever heard.

“No. Enjoy your time together. I don't want to hear you two fucking.” And then she shuts the doors behind you with a force you didn't even know a little kid could possess. Right after she do you hear a gruffed “Ellie I told you to wait for me we talked about -” he stops mid-sentence and you feel like all of the air in your lungs leaves your body when comes into the view, He looks older – but somehow more handsome then you've last seen him. The grey in his hair suits him, and the patches in his beard are now more prominent than they were before. He looks good – more than good. You don't know what to do or say. The two of you just keep staring at each other – he looks you up and down and you see his breath becoming quicker. You're the first one to break the silence.

“Hi, Joel. Long time no see.” You laugh quietly and the tears in your eyes leave your vision blurred. You're the one who moves first too and you hug him tightly – he changed over the years, he's softer and he doesn't smell like he did back in the days – but there's something about his presence that feels entirely like Joel and you grab onto his plaid shirt – squeezing it in your fists. You don't want to pull away – you never want to leave him again but when you feel him not responding to the hug you slowly pull away and look into his eyes. He's scanning your face and now you see tears in his eyes as well. The weight of his calloused hands is more than welcome and you close your eyes when you feel his thumbs slowly stroke your cheeks. The small escapes your throat and you nod when he quietly – oh, so quietly murmurs - “you are alive.”. You stay like that for a while – both of you don't dare to move in case this was all just a dream. You want to hug him again – to feel him against you but when you try to pull him closer to you he unexpectedly quickly pulls you away. You look at him confused and he wipes his tears away – he doesn't know how to act around you. It's been too long. He buried the memories of you and never wanted them to resurface. The knowledge that you are alive and here right in front of him hits him like a fright train. It scares the fucking shit out of him.

He clears his throat and avoids your gaze when he asks you if you want to sit – you agree hastily - you didn't take off your boots like Ellie said and you contemplate for a flash of a second that maybe you should - when you see the change in his stance and attitude. He's trying to distance himself from you and you don't understand why – wasn't he glad you were here?

You look around the living room. It's spacey and you hate that small painting of deer above the fireplace. You quickly scan the bookshelf and figure most of the books are Ellies. When you sit on the worn-off couch you expect that Joel will sit next to you – but he moves across the room and keeps standing. You are confused and you don't understand – you never expected your reunion to go this way. It stays quiet and you break the silence once again – he never was much of a talker anyway- you and Sarah kept the house full of laughter and it was never quiet thanks to both of you – and he never thought he would miss it that much.

“I met Ellie. She actually dragged me here.” You chuckle but he doesn't respond – this was such a bad idea. He tears your heart apart with his stoic stance and silence and doesn't even know it. But he can't bring himself to speak or move – he worries if he does you will disappear.

“Okay, I guess I will go.” He wants to tell you to stay here with him. But alas nothing comes out of his mouth – though when he sees the ring on your neck he gasps and you throw him a questioning look.

“You-you kept it after all these years.” You are confused but when you see where his gaze is trained you look at your engagement ring and smile. “Yeah, I-uh, I've never stopped thinking about you or Sarah you know.” He sharply inhales, he wants to tell you so much. “And every time I look at it I hear her annoyed voice scolding you on how you proposed.” You snort and he grins softly remembering your light laughter and Sarah's huffing on how un-romantic he was.

“Babe just another five minutes, please.” You grumble and feel him smile against your skin – his patchy beard scratching your neck. His hands squeeze your hips and your breath hitches when you feel his tongue flatten against your pulse point. He hums against your skin and nips at your skin – you try to push him away but he just grins wider and hovers above you.

“You know you said that six times now come on, want to take you somewhere nice. Promise I will make it worth it.” He wiggles his eyebrows and you giggle at his antics – he was the one who slept in most of the time – but on days like this – where you feel exhausted from the previous night's session of amazing sex – you feel like you could sleep till afternoon. You slowly kiss the bald spot on his beard and one of your hands sneaks to the band of boxers – he grabs your hand quickly and shakes his head at you.

“Na-ah, won't work on me this time, sweetheart. You can't seduce me.” You just hum and kiss the spot between his shoulder blade and neck – gently scraping your hand through his already tousled hair. His eyes flutter close for a moment and it's now your turn to grin against his skin. You know you won.

“Mmm, I don't know but you left your girlfriend pretty unsatisfied last night.” You try to push the smile off your face when he quickly opens his eyes at your words – you know he never backs down from a challenge.

“Oh?” You hum and finally cup his semi-hard cock in your hand. He grunts and you smile, biting your lip when he slowly puts his fingers inside your panties. “So wet for me already baby, was three orgasms last night not enough for you, mhm?” He asks when he pushes two fingers inside of you and you gasp – arching your back and he squeezes one of your breasts – his now hard cock strains against his boxers.

“How do you know I-oh fuck. Didn't fake it?” you grit out when his fingers brush against the spongy spot inside of you – his thumb drawing circles on your clit leisurely. His eyes darken at your question and he hooks the two of his fingers inside of you – it feels too good and all you can do is just moan in pure bliss.

“Oh, believe me, sweetheart, I know. This sweet pussy grips me like a vice when you cum. Guess I need to remind you.” The other hand that was squeezing your tit now goes higher and he strokes your jaw – you grant his access to your mouth and he growls when you bite on his lower lip and your go to the back of your head when he speeds his hand – his tongue sliding into your mouth and when he pulls away you kiss the underside of his jaw.

“Guess you do.” he mumbles something alongside “such a smart mouth” before his hands grab you around your throat and put small pressure on it – you shudder and he just hums when he feels you close. “Gonna cum for me, won't you?” You just nod and when you finally do cum – you bite his shoulder, your nails scraping across his back. He pulls his fingers out of you and sticks them in your mouth – you hum around them and push him so he is the one laying on his back.

“I have to return the favor.” You throw him a cheeky look and he just mutters an “oh god” when you pull him out of his boxers – the tip already red and sensitive, leaking precum out of it. "Guess I will have my breakfast early."

An hour later Sarah is already up and grins at you. You bid her a good morning – you try to look presentable – you've already brushed your teeth, changed and you smile at her when you see that she made pancakes.

“Sooo, do you like the ring?” she asks and you stop pouring coffee into Joel's mug. He throws Sarah a quick look of “don't say another word, please” but she ignores him. “You know, the one dad proposed with?” your go slack-jawed and look at Joel who quickly scrambles to his feet from the chair and pulls you to him.

“What is she talking about, Joel? You ask and he uncertainly smiles and bends one knee – you see the little black velvet box and when he opens it you gasp – the ring inside of it is beautiful – simple and elegant and tears well up in your eyes.

“Oh my god, dad. You said you would propose before the sunset.” Joel shrugs his shoulders and keeps his gaze trained on you.

“That was the plan but were… preoccupied.” He grins at the last word and Sarah mutters a quick “gross” but starts looking for that old stupid camera to make wvideo of the proposal– hoping you would say yes. She thought of you almost like a mother and when Joel told her he wanted to marry you she squealed in delight.

“So whad’ya say, sweetheart? Will you marry me? Even though I am proposing in our kitchen and with my pajamas on.” You nod and he lets out a breath of relief – when he stands up you kiss him passionately.

“You won't get rid of me now that easily, Texas.” You whisper against his lips as he wipes your tears away.

“And I wouldn't have it any other way.” You couldn't wait for the new chapter of your life with Joel and Sarah by your side

Joel stays quiet for a long time after your confession and he almost misses you leaving – but he registers the door shutting softly. He falls onto the floor – putting his hand on his heart which seems like it will fall out of his chest any moment- his breath is quick and he can't seem to calm himself down. His ears are ringing and he registers the flow of tears after they fall on his cheeks and into his mouth – the salty flavor of them sits heavy in his mouth – and he wishes he could be man enough and run after you. But he doesn't – he stays sitting up on his living room floor the face of you haunting his mind alongside with the old memories

Tommy was right. Your fiánce was not the person you once knew. Joel seems to be avoiding you because you've been in Jackson for a week now and didn't see him at all. Not that you minded after seeing his enthusiasm – or rather lack of – at seeing you. You try to not think about it that much and throughout the day you occupy yourself – at night you cry a lot – Mariah always comes to your room and shushes you to sleep or if you are talkative that night she lets you talk. It's like having a girls' night but more…depressing. The people in Jackson are nice and you try to help everywhere you can. Whether it be with kids or at the canteen. Helping with sheep or horses – you often go and visit Buckley – he soothes your ongoing nerves. Joel will have to come out of hiding one day. And you are not ready for that. On the other side Ellie seems to hang with you a lot – the day after your meeting with Joel she almost tackled you to the ground when she forcefully asked what did you do to Joel – you have to give it to her, that girl got spirit and an undying loyal heart like the man she is living with. After trying to explain it to her –it was very hard because she thinks Joel can do no wrong really – and you are not saying he did, she gave in pretty easily and started hanging out with you.

You are staying at Tommy for a while – at least before you decide if you will leave which is very unlikely or they will try to find you another accommodation. She comes there every afternoon and brings her science books – you found an anatomical book in the library one day and kept it with you – and you try and teach her the various Latin words or show her where is what on her body – three days ago you two drew a life-sized human and marked bones on it and such. You've met other people too and learned that the shy cowboy's name was Henry – he asked you out and you admired him for his braveness but you told him you are probably closer to his mother's age than to be his girlfriend.

Tommy went and tried talking to Joel too but you both know how stubborn he can be and when you asked him how did it go he just shook his head low and offered you a sad smile. Today you wanted to help an old lady, Mrs.Grempinks - or something like that – with knitting. Her hands were shaking the past few days and she felt sad – you offered her help and she accepted – she doesn't need to know you do not know how to knit at all. At least it will maybe make her feel better that she is not the only one in the room with poor knitting skills. On the way to her, you come across Ellie and she lets out a relieved sigh when she spots you.

“Here you are I've been looking everywhere for you.” she empathizes the word everywhere and starts dragging you with her – where you aren't sure.

“Hey, Ellie. Slow down. Ellie!” you shriek when you figure out where exactly she is dragging you – to her – Joel's- house and you burrow your heels into the snow-covered ground.

“Joel isn't home and I want to show you something really cool – I've been working on it for the past couple of days after you borrowed me your anatomy book.” You want to protest and you turn around in the direction of Mrs. Grempkin's house but you don't have the heart to tell Ellie that you don't have time and Joel is not home and you would leave soon enough anyways – she will just show you her little project and then it's gonna be as if you never even put your foot in the house again. When she pulls you inside she again quickly closes the door behind you and dread overcomes you – oh no she didn't – she shows you the two keys in her hand and you know the other one is Joels. She locked you out.

“I am sorry but both of you are miserable and you have to talk it out!” There is nothing to talk about with Joel – he doesn't need your presence near him, it's been clear and you mouth a quiet “please, Ellie, don't do this” while you jumble with the handle. It's no use and you sigh thumping your forehead against the door. You quietly take your boots off this time and start looking around the house – looking for Joel to tell him what just happened.

You find him in his workshop – it's nice and you stay in the doorway while looking around. You see the various little wooden figures and you find it cute that he found something he can get lost in. The various guitars on the wall peak your interest – you've always loved when he played and his back is still turned on you while he focuses on his woodwork – you enter the room slowly and when you touch one of his guitars a low “hi” echoes throughout the room. His back is turned still but his hands stopped moving and he is sitting still.

“Didn't know you could hear me.” You say and he chuckles lowly.

“I'd be dead by now if I didn't hear someone sneaking up on me.” He says and you hum acknowledgment – when he finally turns to look at you your breath hitched because he is so effortlessly handsome it hurts. You cross your arms around your chest.

“I wasn't sneaking up on you.”

“Sure you weren't.” He throws you a grin and it's different than the last time you talked – or didn't really – to him. He is more relaxed and he actually looks like he doesn't mind seeing you in his house. It's quiet for a while but not that uncomfortable silence that suffocates. You look at one another and you take him all in – his aquiline nose and his full lower lip, his brown eyes and you look at the dip of his neck – licking your lips. It's suddenly too hot in here with the way his gaze burns into you.

“I am sorry.” He offers and you don't understand what for – or you do – you just want him to expand that sentence because you felt like a fool the last time you were here. “I am sorry for the way I reacted but I never thought I'd see you again and when you just appeared in my house I was overwhelmed with emotions I didn't know I could still feel. After Sarah died I-” He chokes and you are in front of him in a blink of a second – cupping his cheeks and he closes his eyes bathing in your gentle touch which he doesn't deserve - or at least he thinks so

“You don't have to tell me anything. Tommy told me and I-I am sorry what happened to Sarah. And everything you've been through, Joel.” You say and he opens his eyes and shakes his head – none of what happened was your fault and you shouldn't be sorry. He was glad you weren't with him when all of it went to shit because you'd probably be here by now. It's easy to be this intimate with him and you bask in the way he lets you touch – you expect him to pull away like last time – but he doesn't. Instead, he brings his lips closer to yours and searches for your gaze which drops when he licks his lower lip.

“I want to kiss you, sweetheart,” he murmurs and your lips are almost – almost touching when he says so. His forehead is pressed up against yours and your hands that were previously holding his face now move behind his neck – your nails scratch the spot behind his ear gently and he closes his eyes – whether in pure bliss or to hold himself back you don't know – though if its the latter you don't want that. “Need to kiss you,” he adds. You just nod your head in agreement – you wanted nothing more than to kiss him the last time you saw him.

“What are you waiting on then, Texas?” You tease and you feel him smile into the kiss – it's just a gentle press of lips – as if he was testing the waters. One of his hands grabs your hip – squeezing it – and the other moves behind your head and pushes you closer – he needs you closer. The wet press of his lips is more urgent now and his tongue licks your lower lip. You grant him access into your mouth and then the kiss becomes more urgent, more passionate, more desperate – Joel was always a good kisser and you always enjoyed just making out with him late at night to some bad movie that was on the TV. The hand on your hip moves lower and he cups your ass – you moan into his mouth and he hums, the other hand now stroking the hinge of your jaw. Your hands scratch his scalp and he almost but purrs – pulling away from you he plants butterfly kisses across your face.

“Bedroom?” The question seems silly – you need him and if you'd be any younger you'd jump his bones right here on the floor. But you are not so you nod and he pecks your lips quickly before he grabs your hand – squeezing your fingers in his – and leads you to his bedroom. When you enter it he closes the door more forcefully than needed and before you have time to look around he is pushing you onto the bed – your back hits the mattress and he grins – he hasn't seen this sight in over 20 years and he is enjoying every second of it. You sit up and pull him by the collar of his shirt. He is quick with it – his mouth on yours again and his hands start exploring your body – they go from your thighs up to your tummy and then higher – he squeezes your tits – you moan and his hands move higher cupping your cheeks tenderly. He pulls away and moves your hair out of your face.

“Need you so badly.” He pants – and you feel just the same. You feel him start undressing you but you want to make this last as long as possible. You push him away and he seems confused before you are pushing him on his back – your sit on his lap and you feel how hard he is under his jeans – you test the waters and grind down on him – your hands on his chest and he really wants to keep his eyes open but the feel of you on him makes him feel like he's fuckin teenager again that will bust his load into his pants any second. “Fuck, gonna make me cum before the real fun even begins and I am not young as I used to be. If that happens I will have to eat you out at least three times.” You grin and bend down to kiss his neck – your tongue leaving hot trails in its wake. He sits up with you and his hands fly to your lower back to support you. He surges forward – his tongue exploring your mouth, mapping your teeth with it and when you feel his hands trying to take your shirt off – you tug him by the hair roughly – his hips bucking up to meet yours as he moans your name brokenly.

“Slow down, baby. Want to appreciate you.” You push his chest so he will be laying again – he wants to protest but you put one of your fingers to his lips. The look he gives you is downright sinful before he is sucking it into his mouth – his teeth nipping it and you can't look away from his advances. His tongue peaks out and you feel the way he swirls it around your digit just like used to when he ate you out. You moan brokenly and put another one there and he bites into them softly. The small butterfly kisses you leave on his scar from his suicide attempt makes him drop your fingers from his mouth as he groans loudly – he feels so fucking appreciated and loved at this moment that it makes his head dizzy. “Need to see you, baby. Sit up.” He does and you unbutton his shirt slowly one by one while he kisses your jaw and your neck – sucking at it once in a while his tongue flattens out against your pulse point where he leaves a mark.

“Fuck, want you to take your shirt off too.” You don't have time to comply before he is pulling it over your head and you are not wearing any bra – the one Mariah gave you did not fit you – and he immediately reaches for them. He pinches one of your nipples while he sucks on your other one and you throw your head back – it always felt this good with him. Sex with him was easy and he was a generous lover. The only man that had ever made you cum. When pulls away he frowns when he sees the deep red scar close to your heart.

“Someone stabbed me but as you can see I am alive and well. Don't worry about it, We all have our own scars.” Your thumb slides across the one next to his temple and he nods – he is angry at himself though. Maybe if he was with you it wouldn't happen. Maybe if he'd try to look for you harder. Maybe…”Hey, Joel. You still with me?” You stroke his bicep and he nods before you peck him gently. “Strip out of these, will you? Want to suck your dick.” You pat his jeans-clad thigh and his jaw rocks forward. You sit on the bed and he makes quick work of his jeans and his boxer – his cock is bobbing with need and you open your mouth awaiting.

The first lick sends him into overdrive and he grips your hair and tries telling you to take him deeper – just a little bit deeper. You drool and the spit starts to cover his balls – it's messy and the sounds he makes sound like straight up from porn. His head is thrown back and he gets lost in the feel of you – your mouth – and he can't believe you are here with him. He feels his balls pull up tighter and he pulls it out quickly before he is bending down to kiss you – he doesn't register the surprised sound you make when he pushes his tongue almost all the way back down your throat.

You taste like him because you are his, his, his and the growing need he has for you makes him almost rip your new pants before he is working his fingers inside of you – the familiar wetness and tightness make him feel like he is 30 again – and you cry out. He drills into you and snarls when your nails dig into his forearm, his nose bumps against yours and he wants to kiss you but he concentrates on making you cum because he wants to be inside of you. To mark you as his. His to kiss and hiss to make you cum and his to love and his, his, his. He searches for that spot and his other hand sneaks onto your inner thigh – when he finds it – he can hear it from the high-pitched moan that you let out. He smacks you onto your inner thigh and you jump forward and try to get away from him. It's too much – his fingers, his groans and talks and his tongue that find its way into your mouth. He's too much and he can feel you are almost there – almost. He grabs your throat and his eyes watch your Adam's apple bob – his thumb putting slight pressure on it. The squelching sounds of your pussy make him double his efforts and he can feel you getting closer and closer with every pass of his fingers through your walls – your pleas echoing through the room. He knows you need more and he grins menacingly when he sees how your pussy glistens with your juices and soak his hand.

“Fuck, sweetheart look at you. Soaking me. You want to cum?” He knows you do and he is downright cruel when he slows down and you sob because you want to cum – you nod and he is not happy with that – swatting you against your inner thigh once again before repeating that question.

“Yes, yes, Joel! I want to cum, please make me cum!” You feel on a verge of tears and he kisses you softly before he continues his previous efforts – his thumb now circling your clit and it's the additional stimulation you needed. He curses when he feels you squeeing him and he works you through it – your vision goes white and all you can think about is Joel and how good he is – before you come back down and he is still working his way inside of you and suddenly its too much – you try to push him away but the hand on your thigh just grips you harder – the blunt nails of his digging into your thigh.

“Please, Joel, Too much, it's too much!” You cry out but it's like he can't hear you and he bites your lower lip, his fingers never stopping and you can feel him pulling another orgasm out of you – you can feel him grin against your mouth and murmuring “that's it, such a good girl for me, sweetheart” before you are cuming again. Your legs shake and the moans you let out die down when he puts his coated fingers of your cum in your mouth. Your eyes roll to the back of your head – he is kissing you and then telling you to “share with him” and it's so fucking nasty – a string of saliva connecting you both before he is wiping his mouth. You are sedated and when he reaches for something in his bedside table you don't really care. The sound of foil tearing makes you open your eyes and you see how he pulls the condom on his dick before he is crawling to you.

“Come on, sweetheart. You gonna ride me.” He says and you don't feel like you have that much of a choice – he is pulling you on top of him and before you know it he notches the head of his dick between your folds. You grab the base of him and slowly sink down on him – you forgot how fucking thick and big he was and you need a moment before you start moving. Your muscles are sore and your throat is dried up from all the moaning and screaming but when you look down to see Joel's blissed-out expression – you start to move slowly. He lets you ride him at your own pace – you are the one in control now and he's here only for the right. He strokes his thumbs o your sides and then opens his eyes he feels like he will come right there and then. Your tits bounce with every pass of his cock against your walls and the way your head is thrown back and your throat on full display – his fingers twitch as he has the urge to bring you by your throat and kiss you.

The leisurely pace only lasts for a while before you can feel another orgasm build inside of you – the hair on the base of his cock scratch your clit deliciously. You dig your nails into his shoulders – one of your hands grabbing his jaw when you kiss him – he lets you and his hands move from your hips to your ass – squeezing the flash in his palms. You moan when you feel one of his hands sneak toward your clit but you push him away – breaking from the kiss.

“I am the one that is now in control, Texas.” The smirk you give him makes his cock twitch and he nods – his Adam's apple bobbing when he gulps and you til his chin up as you sink your teeth gently into it. He holds onto you tighter – your pace unfaltering and he wants to cum – needs to – but not before you. His heels dig into the mattress and you pull back to stop moving as your hips start to sway in a figure of eight. It does nothing for him and he whines – whines – in protest. You tell him to “shut up” because you are so so fucking close and that's when he grits his teeth together – his patience runs thin. His hands grab the chain with his ring on it – the only thing you are wearing – and he pulls you towards him by it. The look you throw him is absolutely wrecked and when you are close to his mouth – you need to kiss him, want to taste him – he pulls his head away from you to put the ring between his teeth. That alone almost makes you cum and you can't look away from him – even when he grabs you by the flash of your ass – and start sinking you down on him. You are completely mesmerized by the ring in his mouth and before you know it you are cuming – he slaps your ass when you do and you jolt forward – the ring falling from his mouth when he tangles his tongue with yours.

He fucks you through it and he sits up – his heels planting into the mattress so he can chase his own orgasm – he puts the ring into your mouth now and if he could he would take a picture of you like this – his ring between your teeth while he fucks you silly and your gorgeous body putty in his hands. His balls slap against the meat of your thighs and he puts his forehead on your chest – you can feel the small droplets of his sweat roll down his forehead. He pants and you know he is close – his pace now frantic as he kisses your chest. His lips make their way to your throat and every pass of his cock makes your walls twitch. You feel every vein of his and the head of him pushes against your g-spot. You start meeting his thrusts – pulling him closer to your neck as the only thing he can now do is groan and whine. He can feel your quick pulse and the way your fingers tangle in his locks as you tug him by it – you are overstimulated but he doesn't want this to stop. Never wants this to stop.

“Come on, baby. Want you to cum in me,” You whine and he shakes his head – he doesn’t want to, he doesn't, he doesn't…and then he is cumming as he empties his seed into the condom. He thrusts up at you a few times as he pushes himself through the afer shocks – you can feel him twitch in you before his body goes limp and you fall on him. He strokes your shoulder blades and you listen to his slowing heartbeat – your fingers drawing little hearts on his chest. He slowly pulls out of you and grips the condom by the base of it to tie it off and he throws it into the trash can next to his bed. He pulls you closer to him and you hum – slowly drifting off to sleep exhausted and worn out.

“Love you, Joel.” You say against his neck when you kiss him there and his heart swells up at your confession. He unclasps the chain from your neck and pulls the ring on your finger as he admires it.

“Love you too, baby.” You almost don't hear him when he whispers it against your lips – but you don't need him to say it – after all Joel is a man of actions and not words. And you are perfectly fine with that.

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sports-on-sundays · 1 year ago

Note

omgg i'm so relievedd,😭😭 anyway here's the request

can you please do an enemies to lovers with pedri wherein the reader is frenkie's sister and pedri and her have beef with eachother and fight like cats and dogs all the time but pedri is lowkey in love with her and sneakily keeps dropping hints but the reader is too oblivious to notice them, then gavi, sick of their banter tries to get them together by pretending to be interested in the reader and pedri get's furious with gavi cuz he's in love with the reader?

anyway i hope you're doing well, sending you lot's and lot's of lovee 💗💗

she's mine / Pedri González

Summary: Pedri x de Jong!female!reader - Enemies to lovers - Pedri can't help but feel more than hate towards his enemy. And he won't stand for it when it seems her attention is being given to anyone else but himself.

Warnings: censored swearing, reader is SO oblivious haha, I'M SO SORRY FOR THE CHEESY ENDING BUT IT FELT SO RIGHT OKAY, her being Frenkie's sister didn't end up becoming a part of the plot so sorry if you wanted it to be anon

Author's Note: Thanks so much for the request, and I hope you're doing well also. :)

Requested?: yup!

A gust of warm wind blows your hair in your face as you enter the Barcelona training pitch. You tuck it behind your ear as your eyes scan the green field, searching for someone.

You tell yourself you're looking for your brother, Frenkie, but your eyes only stop searching when they fall on Pedri. He's sitting on one of the coolers, talking with Robert Lewandowski and Sergi Roberto. You smirk and saunter over, slipping down to sit on the cooler next to him. "Hey. Why aren't you out there playing, Pedri?" you say with a condescending smile.

His head snaps over to look at you, and his jaw visibly clenches as he demands, "Where did you come from? You weren't there a second a-"

"Maybe you just weren't paying attention, idiot. I didn't know you were that unaware of your surroundings..."

"Would you stop?" he snarls, gently shoving you. "Why are you always here, anyway? Do you think you have rights to walk right on in just because you're Frenkie's sister?"

You shrug cockily. "Pretty much. Everyone loves me, including Xavi. You're the only idiot that doesn't."

At this, Sergi (mysteriously) gets up and says, "I'll leave you two to fight this one out."

Robert nods and follows close behind, calling over his shoulder, "Don't be too aggressive with each other now!" You hear a snicker in the more experienced player's voice, which only fuels you more to bug Pedri.

"You aren't being too aggressive," you turn back to Pedri. "What kind of weak shove was that, anyway?"

"I just didn't shove you any harder because you're delicate and weak." He glanced up, meeting your eyes as he added, "Shame you've got no boyfriend to take care of your damsel self."

"Oh, for f***'s sake! Shut up- you know you're pulling crap out of thin air now!"

"That's what you do every single argument we have," Pedri comments with an eye roll. He bends down to tie his shoe, but then looks up, meeting your eyes again in that annoying way, and says, "Wait, you have a boyfriend?!"

"Don't say it like that!" you snap. "I don't, but I don't need one. I'm just fine without a stupid man to boss me around!"

He snorts and comments softly as he stands up, "I wouldn't say I'm stupid, and I certainly wouldn't boss you around..."

"Huph! Yeah, right!" you snap, the intention of his statements blowing straight over your head. "I bet you'd be the worst of them all! My God, no woman deserves an ass like you! Sure hope you never get a girlfriend- any would be too good for you."

"So sharp with your comebacks!" Pedri looks back. "But you use the same ones every time. You're so predictab-"

"Hey, Pedri."

Both of you look up to see Gavi sauntering over to the two of you. He pulls a water bottle from the cooler Pedri just stood up from and tells him, "Quit all the chit-chatting, for God's sake. Break time is done for you, Pedri."

"Yeah!" you grin, calling after him as he sulks away, "Lazy!"

Some days later, you walk down the hallway of the training centre. You're waiting for Frenkie, since you're going with him to visit with him and Mikky and some friends after training, when suddenly your nerves are hit simply by a familiar voice calling behind you, "Hey, Y/n..."

You swivel around to meet the obnoxious brown eyes of none other than Pedri. Your jaw clenches, but you're always ready to pick a fight with him- especially if he's up for it.

There's a flash of emotion in his eyes, and all the sudden he goes from walking toward you to being right in front of you. Your back hits the wall it's facing, and you gasp as the scent of his cologne fills your nose. You open your eyes slowly to see only Pedri's eyes. You exhale slowly. He's got you here, with his hands leaning on the wall behind you. You can't read him- you can't tell if he's about to slap you in the face or playfully tease you. All you know is that your nose is about six centimeters from the face of your rival, whom you've hated on a countless number of times.

"What the hell?" you snap. "What's your problem?"

"You know what you did!" he snaps right back, his eyes flashing again.

"What did I do?" you ask innocently as you replay all the rude comments about him and obnoxious tricks played on him.

"You know!" he says, jabbing his elbow into your shoulder- not enough to hurt, so you don't bother with him. He's a coward. He never really hurts you.

You smirk, eyebrows raised, and say, "Was it the chewing gum in your football boot or the 'Kick Me' sign on you last away game?"

"It was the gum-! Wait, 'Kick Me' sign?!"

At this, you break into hysterical laughing at his frightened face. You laugh and laugh, until you finally get out, "You take yourself so seriously, and that's why I know stupid pranks like this really will work in getting under your skin!"

"Tell about the 'Kick Me' sign!" He actually looks quite nervous.

"I managed to give you a 'friendly' pat on the back before you walked the red carpet to the hotel. All the away fans saw. I guess after getting a high-five from their hero, Pedri, they saw he would've rather been kicked in the ass!"

"Wait, it was on my ass?" His eyes widen, and you laugh more, practically wheezing now as Mr. Tough Man is getting dethroned- again. By you, as always.

"No! Lower back, idiot. I guess someone must have taken if off of you before you noticed, and didn't tell you because your pride is so delicate..."

"...Is not!" Pedri snapped, shoving you softly again. "Anyway, the f***ing gum on my expens-"

But you interrupt, showing you really couldn't care less. "Why don't you shove me harder, huh? Weak."

His face twists. "If I did, you might fall over. Clumsy."

"Oh, yeah? Am I? Am I clumsy, or are you just too scared to hurt a woman? Well, I'm not too scared to hurt a man, and I'm also not slamming men into walls to assert my dominance!"

Pedri gapes a little, which feeds your mean-spirited ways.

You grin, and suddenly shove him away. He stumbles back, and reaches back to steady himself on the opposite wall of the hallway.

"Alright, I've f***ing had it with you!" he barks, reaching for you. But you grab his wrist, twisting it. He, with his other hand, clutches the collar of your shirt, and you raise your fist, about to hurl it at his-

Suddenly, another hand grips your wrist, mid air.

Both your's and Pedri's heads flip to the new presence and rest your eyes on the younger Gavi.

Pedri's hand slips off your collar in unison with your hand slipping off his wrist.

Gavi sighs and walks past, in the middle of the two of you, calling behind, "You two, always fighting like cats and dogs! Won't you ever leave each other be? It's starting to get out of hand, with you two wrestling in the halls, and all."

You watch awkwardly as Gavi walks away, both feeling called out at how foolish you were acting.

You sit next to Gavi, swiveling back and forth on a bar stool, in a club. You sip your drink, looking down, because of the slight headache you're starting to obtain from the flashing lights around you, when suddenly someone sits on the other side of you. You look up, seeing that it's none other than Pedri. Again. Now you sit between Gavi and Pedri, and ask obnoxiously to Pedri, "Why are you here?"

He smirks, his eyes glimmering in the flashing lights. "I was here all along. But I could be asking you the same thing, baby."

You snort as Gavi looks over with unimpressed raised eyebrows at Pedri.. "Baby? Your insults are getting worse and worse every day," you remark back snidely, taking the name in a completely different way than most people- including Gavi- probably would.

Who knows how Pedri meant it?

Pedri falters for just a moment, and a strange look of slight confusion and maybe... disappointment?... flashes across his face, before he blinks away the dazed look and replaces it with that stupid smirk again. "You're a stupid baby because I don't think you can handle..." He gently takes your glass from your hand, and it's so sudden, you just watch him do it. "...that."

You glare. "What the hell, Pedri?" you snap. "I'm not anywhere near drunk! Give that back!"

He lifts the quarter full glass above his head, but leans his face close to yours and mutters, just loud enough for you to hear over the blasting party music, "Make me."

You glare more fiercely and snarl, "You know full well I'm capable of beating your ass! Now give me the glass!"

His grin just grows wider, and it annoys you that, for whatever twisted reasons, he's genuinely having fun. Enjoying himself. When you tease him or play pranks on him, you guess you have some fun, but it's mostly just about going out of your way to make his life harder because he's annoying. But he's genuinely having fun right now. Anyone could see that much.

The nerve!

You grab at Pedri, trying to wrestle the drink down, but fail, and just end up stumbling into him. He laughs and very gently elbows you, saying, "Be careful, baby. You've got no prince to catch you if you fall..."

"I don't even get your jokes anymore!" You say in frustrated annoyance. You grit your teeth and double back, ready to ram yourself to his stomach, but suddenly stop yourself when two hands grip your shoulders, and a body slips in between your's and Pedri's. "Gavi!" you say in exasperation. "Stop doing that!"

"You guys stop doing this! These arguments are getting out of hand, for God's sake!"

Pedri sighs, setting your glass down, but says, "It's really none of your business, Gav-"

"It is when you constantly do this with me and every-f***ing-one else around! It becomes our business!" He sighs witha little grunt, sitting back down. You swipe your drink off the table and sit back down next to Gavi, saying, "I'm sorry, Gavi... You see, Pedri's just so stupid..."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Gavi rolls his eyes.

And little to either Pedri or you know, but the gears in Gavi's brain start spinning.

You sit on the bleachers, typing something up, enjoying the sunshine, when you hear footsteps. You sigh, knowing it will be Pedri approaching, but refuse to look up.

So you're surprised when Gavi says, "Hey, Y/n."

You look up and watch as Gavi sits close next to you, putting his arm around your shoulders. You don't think much of this, and don't mind that Gavi sits with you for a while, just chatting about whatever. He speaks softly, making the conversation personal. You respond in your regular tones, because why would you do anything different?

For weeks after this incident, Gavi keeps doing things like this, and, strangely, you've realized Pedri's been bothering you less. And you've been bothering him less.

But he keeps sending you the most venomous glances, it's almost worse than his occasional antagonizing.

Gavi's been getting kind of touchy with you, and you're not sure why, but you assume it's just because... you don't know. But you figure there must be a good, normal reason for it.

So you don't mind it. You enjoy your talks.

Today, you sit on the grass next to Gavi. You can't tell if it's just in your head, but you keep catching Pedri's eyes. And he doesn't look happy.

Well, Gavi's sitting quite close to you, so your shoulders are bumping, and has an arm around you, gently touching your lower back. You watch as Pedri starts walking towards you, and automatically a soft sigh escapes your lips.

Right then, Gavi gently slips his hand onto your thigh.

Automatically, your muscles clench, but you don't even look at Gavi.

Because you're watching Pedri.

He looks livid.

You swallow, and glance to Gavi, but as soon as you do, Pedri reaches him, knocks his hand off your thigh, doesn't even glance to you, and says directly to Gavi, "Come with me."

His tone is hard and cold.

Gavi stands up a little too casually (which seems to just feed Pedri's anger even more) and follows Pedri without a fight.

You stare, watching them go, in kind of a shock.

Once they're gone, you give it a minute or so, before standing up and immediately following. Snooping and eavesdropping are not below you. Can't hurt a girl for being curious, right? Besides, you've become pretty good at not getting caught.

You slowly walk down the stairs into the building, light on your feet, and peek behind every corner, listen through every door.

Finally you freeze when you hear voices, coming from behind a closed door. You lean against the wall slowly, intently listening, and grin softly when you can make out the sentences, before your face becomes serious again.

Gavi is saying, "...you've been the nicest person to her anyway!"

Pedri growls (which makes you swallow nervously), "But it's like you're taking her... She doesn't even like you... I saw the look on her face... Get your hands off of her, anyway... She's mine."

Your eyes furrow in confusion. Clearly he's talking about you, but what does this all mean...? Whatever it does, it certainly makes you feel a little angry, along with the utter uncertainty.

"Yeah? Why haven't you gone for it, then? Shoot your shot? You've just been being rude to her to get her attention without even showing how you really feel- I went about it in the-"

"She doesn't like you!"

"Yeah? Prove it?" Gavi says, just as fiery as Pedri himself, but it sounds a little different. You can't place your finger on what's different about Gavi's tone, though, from Pedri's...

There's a few seconds of silence, before a huff and a smaller comment from Pedri: "But I bet I like her more than you."

"Then prove it. I don't believe you."

"How the hell-"

"Whoever pulls her first."

You stare ahead, eyebrows knitted together.

And suddenly it clicks in your brain that was so opposed to believing anything even close to that, and it all makes sense.

All the stupid comments from him.

This conversation itself.

His dumb nicknames.

Has Pedri really... felt that way... all along?

Then why has he been acting like that?

There's silence between the boys, too, as you consider these things.

And, suddenly, you hear the doorknob turn, and your stomach drops to your knees. You try to swallow down a lump in your throat, looking for anywhere you can go to hide so that they don't see y-

"Y/n-!" Pedri stares at you, frozen.

Oh God. What... What is he going to do? Pick a fight, walk away? Lash out on me or Gavi? Pretend nothing happened?

He whispers, "You heard all that..."

You don't respond. And you're not sure if you could, even if you tried to, anyway.

But he does the most unlikely thing. The thing you weren't ever expecting.

Maybe someone else would. Maybe your brain just doesn't work that way.

But suddenly he pulls you to him, in a half-hug kind of thing, his muscles soft, and whispers, "I'm sorry, but... Maybe this will convince you to give me a shot..."

Suddenly, before you can react, he pulls you into a steamy kiss. You gasp, shocked, and although you don't want it to be happening, you don't want it to stop. You stare ahead, but slowly find the strength to close your eyes.

He pulls away and mutters, "Anyway, let me explain now..."

But suddenly Gavi walks by, casually, a smug look on his face, and he says, "I would have done it differently, but with someone like Y/n, you never know, Pedri... I mean it's funny you two are so immature about the way you're going about this, when I'm younger than both of you."

"You-"

Gavi glances back and interrupts, "Oh, and by the way, it was all a show. I'm not really into Y/n, and I know she's not really into me. It was just to make you jealous. You know, so maybe you'd finally admit your damn feelings and quit bothering her so much. Looks like you still haven't done it though. I've leave you two to that."

Pedri starts gaping as Gavi saunters away, and you stand just as shocked, but for more things than what Pedri's shocked about.

"For God's sake, Gavi," Pedri mutters under his breath, turning back to you. "Well, anyway," he breathes. "I've got a lot to explain... And say sorry for."

"Why were you..." you trail off.

He snorts. "I thought you'd be into that. I thought you'd like that sort of attention."

"I might've..." you chuckle nervously. "If I understood what you were doing in the moment..."

All the sudden, those glimmering brown eyes look deeper than they did before. More complex. Interesting. Beautiful.

Captivating.

Perhaps even... enchanting?

You swallow, and find yourself gripping to his shoulders tighter- which you didn't even know you were holding onto until now.

Now he mutters, but it doesn't seem mean.

You would say it was sexy, if that didn't mean you'd be calling him sexy.

"I've got a lot of work before I can call you mine..." he swallows. Usually a comment like this would disgust you.

But the way he just kissed you makes you not dread, but anticipate (just very, very, very slightly) eagerly all that work he needs to do in order to call you his.

Well, in other words, that set off butterflies in your stomach you didn't even know existed.

And now he whispers, "Sorry if it's too soon, but... Can I kiss you again?"

You grin stupidly and remark, "Only if you're not a coward."

He leans in, and his lips meet yours once again.

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jumpywhumpywriter · 5 months ago

Text

Drugged Hero Whumpee used as Party Favor at Villain's Party part 5

Warnings: torture, blood, restraints, blindfolded, gagged, living weapon, captured

This story of mine had been left at a cliffhanger for some time, but here is a part 5, as requested by @emmarose2009!

"I... am good to my word." Archenemy pressed a single button... and all the lights in the mansion went dark at all once, plunging the party into chaos.

Shadow's head was spinning, but her world sharpened to a blast of pain as rough hands grabbed her and yanked her off the couch. She felt herself being slung over a broad shoulder where she draped limply like the dead weight she was. In any other circumstance she would have fought back, but everything hurt too much, and even though her mind was foggy with pain, she was lucid enough to distinguish help from hurt. So she let it happen.

The terrified screams of party guests rattled in her skull, along with the sound of scraping furniture as panicking people tripped and toppled over each other in the dark. But whoever was carrying Shadow seemed to have no problem navigating through the mayhem, though every step jarred Shadow's injuries.

Shadow gritted her teeth and focused on continuing to breathe with tight lungs, even as her body blazed with agony at all the sudden movements that her rescuer -- and likely enemy -- made.

The sound of a door banging open -- and then city lights, lights that scorched Shadow's retinas and made her wince as cold air hit her stinging injuries. She managed to conclude she was outside of Villain's dreaded mansion, at least. But the feeling of freedom didn't last long before she felt herself being carelessly stuffed like luggage into the backseat of a car.

She inhaled a sharp breath as she landed ungracefully on leather cushions, and a fleeting thought flashed through her mind that bleeding all over her rescuer's expensive car probably wouldn't be the best way to get in their good graces, but then she remembered who her rescuer was, and all sense of security vanished in an instant. Besides, it wasn't like she could help it! Blood was everywhere on her, and if she didn't have rapid regeneration, she would have long since bled out. Any normal human would already be dead by now.

She was flopped on her side, breathing hard when she felt air displace near her as someone else climbed into the backseat with her, slamming the door closed. She groaned in protest, but that was as much strength as she had, blood snaking from the corners of her mouth and flowing freely from her nose.

"Drive," a harsh voice barked, and the sound of tires screeching on asphalt followed as the vehicle lurched into motion. Shadow felt someone grabbing at her hands, and instinctively started to struggle, pulling away with a hiss.

"Come now, none of that," a terrifyingly familiar voice cooed. It made Shadow seize up in fear. Her vision was hazy, but her eyes darted to the source of the sound, making out a dark, blurry outline hovering over her. She moaned in pain as a hard elbow dug into her ribs, a body pressing on top to pin her down while cold metal cuffs snapped onto her wrists like the final nail in the coffin. Her ankles soon followed, shackled together by cruel, unforgiving metal.

Shadow jerked away when something dark and fabric-like was raised to her face, startled, but her head only hit the seat, there was nowhere to go as a cloth blindfold was tied tightly around her head.

"You won't be needing your sight for awhile," Archenemy chuckled into her ear, making her shiver.

"When I get out of these, I swear I will kill--mmff!" Shadow made a weak effort at snarling an insult, which died the instant a piece of sharp metal was forced into her mouth, making her gag and choke as it pressed down hard on her tongue. Leather touched her face, and she realized that it was a muzzle, as if she were a dog that could be controlled -- pathetic.

"You won't be needing your voice, either," Archenemy added, though this time his tone was flat, mildly annoyed. "I can't have you biting me, either - I know you have a reputation for it."

Shadow would have laughed, if the barbaric muzzle would have allowed it. He must have been referring to the time she bit one of his henchmen's fingers off when they tried to attack her. Served them right, though.

Shadow moved her tongue around the metal bit in her mouth, trying to earn some relief from the pressure and pain, but it was futile. The metal was slicing into her tongue and the corners of her mouth, and the taste of copper soon washed over her taste buds.

A scared whine slipped past her gruff composure when she felt Archenemy's hands slide around her head.

"Take a nap if it suits you, hero -- you sure need it. It's going to be a bit of a drive." That was the last thing she heard before something solid clamped over her ears, making her deaf to the world.

It was a gut-wrenching panic that made her breath catch in her throat, unable to hear, see, or speak, and trapped in enemy territory. She had no way of knowing where she was being taken, what Archenemy planned to do with her.

Her breaths came faster, she couldn't seem to get enough air in, her head buzzing with static silence, an empty void of nothingness cocooning her in total darkness. No sense of direction, all there was was pain, and the feeling of the car occasionally hitting bumps in the road.

Stay calm... Stay calm... Stay calm... She told herself again and again. It did little to ease the terror gripping her racing heart in its vise-like jaws.

She was embarrassed when a small tear leaked out of one eye, quickly absorbed by the blindfold. She was supposed to be Hero, a brave, fearless fighter! But she'd never felt more scared in her entire life than right now. Every second that passed was like a death sentence, bringing her closer and closer to her end. It went on forever, before finally... the car came to an abrupt stop.

Shadow didn't even bother struggling as she was roughly dragged out, bound and gagged, muzzled and blindfolded. She still couldn't hear, which made it all the more terrifying to be moved. A little overkill on the restraints, to be honest.

Either Archenemy was overestimating how dangerous she was by a long shot, or he knew exactly how dangerous she was. Shadow was one of the most notorious heroes, known for her morally-gray qualities and for being cold and calculating and hard to take down. She sometimes ventured suspiciously close to villain territory with how she went about fighting crime. It made her more feared than adored among citizens who were grateful to have criminals taken off the streets, but too scared to speak out about her unusual methods of winning.

Shadow couldn't walk on her own with how tightly she was chained, and she felt her face flush with humiliation as a pair of arms picked her up and started carrying her off. Soon enough she was tossed somewhere cold and damp, and she grunted as she hit solid concrete after an unfriendly shove.

A door slammed shut, and she was left all alone... blind to everything around her. She waited several beats, and when nothing else interacted with her, she quickly got to work twisting her arms and hands to try and get some of the restraints off. She pawed frantically at her head with her bound hands, managing to knock off whatever sound-canceling headphones had been put on. It was a massive relief when the sound of her own shaky breathing hit her ears again, comforting in all its simplistic familiarity. She took a second to relish it, savor the experience before continuing.

It was hard to move, both from the shackles and severe injuries inhibiting her movements... but eventually she got the blindfold halfway off so she could see out of one eye. She worked on the muzzle next for a good fifteen minutes with no progress -- she only succeeded in slicing her mouth up with the metal bit until a bloody froth was drooling out the front of the muzzle, blood mixed with saliva she couldn't swallow thanks to the cruel bit keeping her mouth slightly open.

The mocking click of a tongue from somewhere close by made her freeze and forget all about wriggling free. Archenemy was here. She'd never heard him come in. Or maybe he'd been here the whole time watching her helplessly struggle, but whatever the reason he was here.

"Have you gotten it all out of your system yet?" His voice drawled.

Shadow craned her head to glare with her one free eye, though she knew she must look ridiculous with the blindfold half on still. Archenemy was sitting nonchalantly in a chair in the corner, unconcerned as ever at her disheveled and haggard appearance.

"Wuff oo uunn wanff? (What do you want)" She tried to form words around the bit, but it was too tight and painful in her mouth and on her tongue, and all that came out was incoherent noises.

Archenemy just flashed a charming smile before casually getting up and gracefully striding over to her. Shadow's eyes widened with a flicker of genuine fear, and she quickly scooted back to the furthest wall from him, flattening against the surface as best she could.

"Shhh, there's no need for that. I'm only taking the muzzle off so you can speak. Got it?" Archenemy didn't give her a chance to answer before he was reaching for her face, grabbing her jaw in a tight hand to hold it still.

Shadow squealed in pain and jerked away from his touch, but he didn't yield, swiftly sliding his other hand around behind her head to unbuckle the straps holding the muzzle in place. He pulled the blood-soaked muzzle away in one smooth motion along with his hands so she couldn't bite them.

Shadow licked her cracked lips as she watched Archenemy's gaze lock on to the shredded corners of her mouth, watched him frown.

"Open," Archenemy commanded.

Shadow kept her mouth closed, eyeing him warily.

"Open your mouth now, or I will force you to. The choice is yours."

Shadow knew he wasn't joking, and hastily unlocked her jaws, wincing as the movement tore the corners of her mouth open further, leaking fresh blood.

"You shouldn't have tried to take the muzzle off yourself," Archenemy scolded. "You've practically ripped the inside of your mouth to bloody ribbons."

Shadow closed her mouth with a scowl, saying nothing. A charged silence fell between them, full of tension, before Archenemy spoke again.

"Well, like I said -- I am good to my word. I'm going to have you cleaned up and treated. However... my hospitality comes at a price."

"I would never expect anything less, coming from you," Shadow rasped dryly, her voice thin and scratchy. "What do you want from me?" She spat the words like poison.

"I want your power. To heal from practically any wound... it's an astonishing gift I've never understood. But I plan to. I plan to find the limits of your abilities, find a way to use it." Archenemy leaned close, eyes sharp and power-hungry. "You are mine. And I will find a way to control you."

Shadow shuddered involuntarily at the certainty with which he said it, the blatant confidence. It rattled her to the core. "What makes you so sure?" She intended it to sound defiant, but it came out shaky and weak, and Archenemy's smug smile broadened at that.

"Because I've already managed something similar once, so it shouldn't be too hard to accomplish. I already have one living weapon right here in this exact base we're in, so creating a second seems manageable enough."

A living weapon...? Shadow's blood went cold as ice.

Archenemy laughed at her shocked silence. "Who knows, maybe my weapon will finally have some company!"

"That's outrageous!" Shadow sputtered angrily, finally finding her voice. "I'm a person, you can't control me like some pathetic dog!"

"Not yet, but I will," Archenemy said smoothly without hesitation. He stood up, straightening his jacket. "I'll give you time for your gift to heal you before I begin my experiments, and after I get you cleaned up. You are filthy."

Shadow wished she could argue with that, but he was right; she was a disaster. Fading bruises mottled her skin deep shades of blacks and purples, and dozens of vicious injuries were still knitting closed painfully slow, leaving fresh scars in their wake. Her clothes were fully drenched in her own blood that had puddled around her shivering form. She watched miserably as Archenemy turned on his heel and left the room, locking the door to her new prison shut behind him.

Shadow leaned her head back to clunk against the wall with a groan, her tender wounds aching and throbbing with pain as they healed. Even when the physical wounds themselves were gone, the pain would still linger with her for a few days, to her dismay. But for now she tried to rest -- she'd need her strength if she wanted any hope of escaping later.

The pain kept her awake, and she had barely managed to drift off when the lock clicked, and she instantly snapped to alertness as the door swung open. Archenemy strode in... followed by someone else. Shadow's breath hitched when she saw them.

It was Other Hero, the same hero who'd disappeared five years ago after an intense battle with Supervillain, presumed dead. But here she was, standing right before Shadow's eyes, very much alive. Shadow recognized her in an instant.

"Ava!" Shadow gasped in shock. Why wasn't she attacking Archenemy? Why wasn't she fighting back?

Ava just stood there at Archenemy's side, a glassy, distant look in her amber eyes, like she wasn't all there. Staring blankly at the wall above Shadow's heads, expressionless. Something was terribly wrong.

"W-What did you do to her?!" Shadow snapped.

"Oh, nothing much... just rewired her a bit, found what makes her tick, what pleases her, and used it against her." Archenemy shrugged as though it were the simplest and most insignificant thing ever. Then he gestured to Ava. "Kindly help our guest up and bring her to me," he ordered.

And to Shadow's horror, Ava obeyed without a flicker of hesitation, that frighteningly blank look still in her eyes as she came up and grabbed Shadow under the arms, slinging her effortlessly over a shoulder.

Shadow grunted and tried to push or kick her away, but with her ankles and wrists bound, it was nearly impossible to fight.

"Stop that! Let her go!" Shadow snarled at Archenemy.

"No," Archenemy said simply, "I think not. She belongs to me. Like you do now, only you haven't been... trained yet."

Shadow gaped at him in disbelief as Ava shifted her higher on her shoulder before marching over to Archenemy and waiting patiently for further instruction.

Archenemy smirked, and roughly grabbed Shadow's jaw from where she hung limply, forcing her to meet his steely gaze. "Do you see, now? Ava here is a perfect example of success. She represents what I want from you: complete. Full. Control."

"But... I gave you what you wanted at Villain's party..." Shadow protested weakly.

Archenemy let her jaw go with a cruel laugh. "You did... and I did what was promised in return. I got you out of there alive. I never said anything about giving you your freedom once you were out."

Shadow's gut twisted with panic and dread. She'd played right into his hands... she'd been so desperate to escape Villain's mansion and escape the torture that she'd fallen right into the trap. Put the noose around her own neck.

For a heartbeat she thought about bashing Archenemy in the face with her bound hands, but she knew resistance was pointless. She was hardly a threat in her terrible state of health anyway.

⏪️ Back Next ⏩️

Masterlist

@scoundrelwithboba @lumpofsand @isikedmyself878 @iamheretohurt @fleur-a-whump @ay5ksal @otterfrost @sausages-things

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ravennaortiz · 7 months ago

Text

Hate Me, Love me: Juice's Story

Summary: Navigating an arranged marriage is hard enough. Its even harder when one of you seems to hate the other on site.

As always my stories are 18+

"Can you just shut the hell up? Seriously dude. You have been like the most unhelpful person today" snapped Juice as he slammed his fist down on the top of the bar. "Easy" murmured Chibs from his left as Tig just stared at Juice for a moment. It wasn't every day the kid got the balls to mouth off at him. "All I was saying was a good fuck may chill her out" grumbled Tig as he caught Chibs look before moving away to sulk on one of the couches.

Juice sighed as he rubbed his hands over his face. Too say he was on edge and stressed the fuck out was an understatement. He could easily say the last week had been the worst he had ever experienced. Everyone in the club had something to say but somehow they were managing to say nothing at all. Glancing up at the clock he sighed. He had hoped he would be able to figure out how to make his home feel like a home again and not a war zone before he headed out for the day.

"Just give her time Laddie" stated Chibs as Juice slid off his stool. Juice nodded. He had figured that already. Neither of you had asked for this arranged marriage and to be honest you had gotten the worse end of the stick. Uprooted and shipped to a new state to live with a stranger had to be shocking to say the least. So he understood your wariness. Though it seemed to feel more like hatred at this point. Which sucked because he felt he had been trying to make this easier, not to mention he really wanted to get to know you, but your responses had only gotten more aggressive. “Think I may just check in to a hotel for the night. Stop in and make sure she is good.” stated Juice as he shot a text off letting you know he was on his way so not to startle you like he had last week.

You took a deep breath as you heard the door open and Juice call out. You were gripping the counter tightly as you tried to make your voice sound normal. “Kitchen. I made dinner” you winced as you heard the crack in your voice. You knew he heard it too as he poked his head in and your eyes met his worried brown ones. Neither of you spoke for a while as your eyes stayed glued to each other. Scared thought Juice to himself. Fear can mimic aggression, he knew that all to well. He himself had had to unlearn some behaviors when he first moved here. He had been like a wounded wild animal. Biting at any hand that got close so to speak. You just needed to know you were safe here.

“Smells good. I was thinking of grabbing a hotel room for a couple nights to let you settle in some more. Let you decompress, I know this has been stressful, but I’ll gladly take some to go if that is okay?” offered Juice as he slouched casually against the door frame.

You swallowed hard as you broke eye contact looking anywhere but at the man in the doorway. Maybe you had judged to harshly. He seemed like he was a nice enough guy but you knew all too well how that could change. “I hate to take over your house….maybe its better if I go?’ you replied glancing back at him quickly catching his frown. It’s not like you hadn’t already made his home a living hell for him this last week. Apprehension and anxiety running rampant through your veins had you jumpy and defensive. If you were a dog your face would be in a constant snarl. You hated yourself for how you had responded to him. You had not given him a chance to prove he was decent. You had let your anger, fear and betrayal from your family about this arranged marriage rule over every interaction with the man in front of you. Then to top it off him confessing about being in a motorcycle club and being an outlaw biker had not instilled safe feelings for you. You had seen the movies and shows, saw the news. You knew women were not treated well in these circles and having already went through that time and time again with past relationships you didn’t want to risk it.

“I would feel like an ass if you did. The house has the security system and most of the club is close by in case something happened. I know this sounds crazy given how the week has been but I want you safe and I need to know you are.” Replied Juice as he shook his head. “Besides if you go you don’t get rid of me I’ll end of sitting outside all night watching over the room” he added with a light laugh as he watched you frown before a small smile floated across your face. “Guess we both are staying here then huh” you replied before quickly glancing his way again. “Guess so” he stated as he pushed off the door frame and moved towards the counter where you stood stopping when he saw you move back quickly.” I’ll umm bring you a plate if you want to sit” you murmured as you gestured towards the table. Juice wanted to object but thought better of it. Small steps he thought to himself as he sat down.

The two of you ate in a somewhat comfortable silence for several minutes. “You didn’t have to make dinner or serve me a plate just so you know” started Juice before you cut him off quickly. “I cleaned everything up I promise” you spit out dropping your fork with a clatter onto the table as you tensed up for an explosion. You had been wary about doing this to begin with given how ….organized the kitchen was but had convinced yourself it was the right thing to do. A peace offering.

“I saw that” chuckled Juice lightly as he looked up at you. “I was just going to say that I don’t expect you to do that or cater to me shit like that”. You felt your cheeks heat up with embarrassment as you looked down at the table. “Oh…..sorry I….sorry” you mumbled feeling on the verge of tears for the millionth time that day”. “It’s okay. This all hasn’t been exactly normal. I get it and I understand.” Soothed Juice gently as he watched you. “You don’t have to be on the defense with me, we are on the same side. Neither of us asked for this” he added. You nodded as you looked back up at him offering him a sad smile. “True” you mumbled.

“You know just because we are married doesn’t mean we have to act like it. In fact we can start from the beginning like any two people who meet do.” Stated Juice making air quotes around the word married. “I would like to do that” you replied with a smile. “Alright then. Nice to meet you I’m Juan Carlos but you can call me Juice” stated Juice with a grin as he stretched his arm out across the table towards you.

1 Year Later

Juice was sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee and scrolling on his laptop when you walked in. “What’s with the shit eating grin babe? You look suspicious” joked Juice as he caught you skipped over to him. You laughed as you took a deep breath and knelt next in front of him. “Will you marry me?” you asked nervously biting your lower lip as you held out a ring pop to him. Juice was shocked. Granted the two of you were technically married already and had been asking things as they came he hadn’t expected you to be ready for this a year later. “Hell yes” he stated eagerly as he put the ring on his finger. “Wish you had taken me to get my nails done first” he huffed with a grin as you smacked him. “Gotta send this to the boys real quick then you and I are going back to bed to celebrate” he stated as he kissed your forehead making you giggle.

Return to Series List

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pastelsnowcat · 9 months ago

Text

Three is a charm, two is not the same pt. 1

» [3 - Britney Spears] «

1:25 ─〇───── 3:33 ⇄◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻

Hello everyone!! This is my first Drabble sooo I’m super excited to be posting this and some more stuff in the future <33 this will be a three part series :)

Minors, do not interact or I will chase you like a dog with rabies :) The blog is an adult space and this is also a smutty Drabble so shush shush , away with you!

Pairing: Yuki x Shoko x fem!reader

I don’t really have a clear direction with this, but it does include a lot of lesbian filth, established polyamorous AND lesbian relationship and lots of filthy kinky lesbian sex:) barely any plot!! Also filming ;)

Three part series of Yuki and Shoko with female reader and all the different ways they fuck you. First part will be centered on Yuki, second part on Shoko and then the third part- you guessed it, both of them ;)

10.34pm.

10.35pm.

10.36pm.

The minutes kept passing by, but there still wasn’t a sign of your girlfriends. Yuki was on a mission- and no one can ever really tell for how long the special grade sorcerers will be gone for when they’re sent against a special grade curse. And your other girlfriend, Shoko, is a doctor at the Jujutsu Tech. Who knows? There might have been an incident, and maybe she needed to stay there just a little longer.

But none of those potential explanations changed the fact that you were already home and that it was late. And sadly you’re just so lonely and so needy.

The moon illuminates the spacious apartment, casting a soft shadow across the couch you were sitting on and the soft moonlight enabling you to fix your gaze on the door. Silently you were waiting for it to open.

Like a wild animal- hunting, stalking, waiting for the slightest movement to pounce at your prey.

Who would be the first one to return? Shoko, or Yuki?

Sweet, loving Yuki? Strong, incredibly strong, Yuki?

Your mind starts to wander, now reminiscing and fantasizing about prior occurrences.

Your strikingly beautiful girlfriend with her long blonde hair, molten gold flowing down her back, is like a dog- loyal, affectionate, protective, strong. Strong enough to manhandle you into all of her favorite positions, her insatiable hunger ever so slowly getting its fill as Yuki would fuck you and Shoko, your pretty Shoko, for hours on end.

She also fucks like a dog.

Rutting into you from behind, her favorite clear silicone strap covered in a milky sheen of your arousal, as Yuki would pant and groan at the sight of you below her.

And she could swear that she feels the way you tighten around her silicone cock when she howls and snarls pretty things into your ear, her raw strength capable of snapping you like a twig- nothing more but a chew toy for her.

But the special grade sorcerer is aware of her immense strength and - at least potential - mass, which is why she might fuck you like an animal in heat just pushing and pushing and pushing and pushing into your dripping cunt over and over, but also the reason why she keeps talking to you in that sweet voice. Her voice, dripping with honey and trapping you between her fangs.

“Atta girl, such a good job f’me, just like tha’, good girl..” the blonde pants, her mind dizzy, foggy even with the sight of you arching your back for her, pushing your plump ass up against her crotch as she entangled her long fingers with your hair to push your pretty face against the pillow.

“Yu-Yukiii..” you whine and whimper and gasp, eyes rolling back as the clear silicone hit an extraordinarily deep spot, dragging along warm walls and the tip getting caught on your pretty hole when Yuki pulled out almost entirely.

Almost.

But Yuki never pulled out entirely, always needing to have her strap buried snugly in your cunt, slick and hot and gripping Yuki so tightly.

“Shh, I got’cha Princess..” your lover coos, her sweet voice comforting you while she’s destroying you and drilling into your pretty pussy feverishly. Fucked out of your mind, you didn’t even notice that Yuki had grabbed her phone a few minutes prior.

Yuki likes to record.

Her phone camera is pointed at the filthy, perverted view in front of her- wet cunt wrapped around her strap as it kept dis- and reappearing out of the tight hole, only the thick tip never exiting and snagging at the entrance of your cunt.

“Fuck baby, so pretty all f’me..” you can hear her groan in ecstasy, slow pumps stretching you out and making you see stars. Her large hand was wrapped around your plush, full hips, gripping them tightly and now only moving you up and down her strap as she makes sure to get a nice angle of your cunt.

“Yeah.. just like that.. so pretty, ‘m sure Shoko’s gonna enjoy that..” she mumbles to herself, not caring if you heard or not. With nimble fingers, fingers that never failed to make you cum and drip down your thighs, she sent the video to shoko with a quick message ‘look, our little whore is dripping. Enjoy ;)’

“Alright pretty, let’s make you cum, hm?” She teases with a snap of her hips and lewd smirk of her lips, dragging her favorite cock along your walls and giving your ass a playful smack.

Y’all please be nice I haven’t written in years and this is my first attempt at smut, your honor 😔 going down memory lane with shoko in the next part and then.. who knows?👀

#jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen yuki #ninäswrites #yuki tsukumo smut #yuki tsukumo x reader #jjk manga

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teagballs · 11 months ago

Note

I just read your Dennis fic, and if you were going to write a part 2 would you be able to make it that Dennis doesn’t immediately tell reader he likes her? He just starts acting really weird when she’s around?

Like maybe, Dennis Charlie and Mac are insulting Dee and reader says something like “that it’s not nice” then Dennis goes, “yeah that’s seriously not nice guys.” And everyone’s just confused cause like he was saying mean stuff too.

If it’s to much trouble or if you don’t wanna write this please just ignore this 🧍🧍

"like no one else" | dennis reynolds x reader

read part one here

authors note: ur mind anon UR MIND BROOO. this prompt was amazing and i had to do it but also it took me a month cuz i was busy. OOPS. i hope i did it justice cuz i took it and ran LMAO

requests open as always!! looking to do some charlie kelly stuff, so if u have any ideas for him lmk!!

cw: fem reader, mentions of objectification of women and the D.E.N.N.I.S system ofc, lil smoochie smoo at the end but nothing nsfw, 1.4k words

Dennis stumbled out of the restaurant, abandoning his date and this old life of promiscuity behind, seemingly. He walked down the street, pulling out his phone. He entered your name into his contacts, ready to confess everything. Ready to tell you how much you mean to him. Ready to love you. But then he stopped. His finger hovered over the call button and he thought, "what am I doing?" It was the emotion of the situation that made him act with such heedlessness. He didn't even know if you felt that way about him, if you felt the same deep connection he did. For him, it was a feeling like no other. It felt like you got him in a way no one else did. With understanding and kindness too. But to you? Dennis could just be a good friend to you. And if that was the case, what was the point in risking it all? He took a deep breath, shoving his phone back in his pocket. No, he shouldn't act so incautiously.

In the following weeks, Dennis found himself falling deeper and deeper for you. Every action you took, every word you spoke. He found himself obsessing over it. He tried not to come off as creepy - although that was hard, this was Dennis. His still kept his distance as usual, but now with a growing infatuation. He believed he was portraying this neutrality to you well, but this facade was challenged today.

"Y'know what guys, I'm really excited for this date tonight," Dee began to explain as she sat at the bar with Dennis, Charlie, Mac, and you.

"Oh shut up, Dee, nobody cares about your stupid date," Mac barked. Degrading her as usual.

It was water off a duck's back for dee, "You're just jealous I have a date Mac." She rhymed off before taking another swig of her beer.

"How'd you get this one to go out with you, Dee?" Charlie began in defence of Mac, "What'd you do? Steal his dog?"

"What? God no, what the fuck are you talking about?" Dee said.

Dennis didn't involve himself in verbally bullying his sister as he usually would. Usually, he would come in with the worst, most grating jabs. Instead, he silently observed how you scrolled on your phone, occasionally taking a sip of your drink, noticing how your brows furrowed ever so slightly in frustration.

"Even if you do go on this date, Dee, the only way you'll get him to stay is if you steal his phone or something!" Mac snarled.

"Yeah, you stupid bird!" Charlie said, which resulted in loud laughter from the men.

"God, would you just leave her alone, you two? Do you have nothing better to do?" You snapped at them finally. Dennis noticed your frustration and wanting to support and comfort you, he responded;

"Yeah, guys, leave her alone. You're both so sad." Dennis said in his usual 'I'm not wrong about anything ever and you're stupid for being wrong' tone.

Silence. Everyone, including you, turns to face Dennis. Did he just defend Dee? The sister he swore he hated?

"Dennis, what did you just say?" Mac asked cautiously and filled with confusion.

"I said leave Dee alone."

Dennis didn't really care all that much about Dee. Really, all her cared about was proving to you he did. He wanted to be on your side, always. To have your approval.

"Thank you, Dennis," you agreed. Dennis's heart swelled. 'God, what's wrong with me?' he thought. He had never felt this many emotions ever. Never mind for one person.

"That was weird, right? Earlier? When Dennis, like, stood up for Dee?" Charlie asked Mac.

"Oh yeah! For sure! I have no clue why he did that. I mean, just yesterday me, you, Frank, and Dennis were ragging on her for being a failed actress." Mac replied, causing laughter between the pair at the thought of this previous discussion.

"So... what changed?" Charlie puzzled.

"Everyone was there, except.. except for her." Mac hypothesised that when you were there, Dennis avoided talking poorly of Dee.

"But why? What does she change?"

Mac shrugged, "Maybe he's trying to D.E.N.N.I.S her."

"Huh. Doesn't really seem like his usual type." Charlie said.

Dennis was definitely not trying to D.E.N.N.I.S you. He made that distinctly clear in his mind. He wasn't following the steps at all, going out of his way to avoid flirtation with you, actually, to avoid raising suspicions. And the final step, 'separate entirely,' was most certainly one he didn’t want to follow. He wanted to spend forever and ever with you. Why? He didn't understand it himself. He was Dennis Reynolds, the Golden God! How come he was acting so pathetic?

You were starting to notice his weird behaviour. You had known Dennis for years. He was never this.. clingy? Not that you minded, really. You had always thought he was attractive, sure - charismatic too - but his general objectification of woman and lack of interest in a stable and long-term relationship certainly deterred you. Still, though, you couldn't help but feel your heart shatter every time he would talk about the girl he was planning to go out with next. You had grown tougher over the years of knowing him, accepting that he would never change, and he would never see you like that. This new attention from his was definitely appreciated, but strange.

This all came to head a couple of weeks into this behaviour. You and Dennis sat in the bar together on a slow Tuesday. You had been testing him slightly. You were saying things to provoke him - small things. Things that would usually lead to a disagreement or argument or him going on a long Dennis rant. But he didn't budge. He didn’t roar obscenities or call you an idiot or react negatively at all. He would just nod and smile. And then he would agree. You couldn't take it. Was it some cruel joke? To get your hopes up or make you look stupid? You didn't get the punchline.

"Alright, Dennis, what's with you lately."

Dennis freezes. He feared you had picked up on his feelings towards you. He feared this would be the end of it all, and he had ruined it, and you would leave and he would never see you again.

"What do you mean?" Dennis replied. He was lucky he was such a good liar. He played coy well. But you didn't back down.

"You've been acting weird. You just agree with everything I say, and you're hanging around me a lot and like you keep not making fun of Dee when I'm here. You're always looking at me too. Is it some sort of joke I don't get? Are you making fun of me? That's mean."

Dennis felt emotions, oh god. He located that he felt regret and frustration and guilt and guilt and guilt. 'Mean'. He wasn't trying to be mean. She thought it was some sort of joke, but no. This was how he really felt. He really wanted to spend all his time admiring you, he wanted to agree with you on everything, that's all he could think about for the past month. And for once in his life, Dennis was at sea for words.

"I... I didn't..." Dennis attempted. But he couldn't convey his words in a safe manner. In a manner that meant if you didn't feel the same way it would be okay and you could keep being friends.

"I think I'm in love with you." Dennis sighed.

"It was after that date. With that chick. What was her name? Candy? Karen? Doesn't matter." Dennis rambled. "It was then when I realised I never want to be with anyone else, if not you. I don't think anyone had ever understood me the way you have. And I just spiralled after then? I haven't stopped thinking about you." That would be a creepy comment if it wasn't something you had always wanted to hear from him.

It was your turn to be speechless. Instead of saying anything your eyes scanned his face for any indication of falsehood. Nothing. You saw and expression on Dennis's face that you had never seen before. One that could be equated to not knowing the answer. Clueless. Maybe afraid? You open your mouth to speak again but Dennis cuts you off and speaks first. Like he's trying to drown out a negative response. Like covering your ears to block out the sound of a gunshot; the damage would still be done.

Dennis looked at you, waiting for the gunshot.

"Dennis.. I feel the same way. Of course I do, oh my God." You finally say. Your voice is small and hoarse, like you have never used it before. Quickly, before anyone can say anything else, Dennis envelops you in a kiss. A kiss that isn't filled with lust, something Dennis isn't used to. His lips lean into yours in a desperate attempt to convey his gratefulness and love and devotion to you. You grip at his sides. You understand.

#x reader #iasip x reader #its always sunny in philidelphia x reader #dennis reynolds x reader #dennis reynolds #fanfic

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raineandsky · 1 year ago

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#88

tw: home invasion, knife/stabbing

The superhero doesn’t get much warning that someone’s in their house. They glance into their bedroom, into the mirror propped up at the opposite end, and make eye contact with someone hiding in the shadows on the other side of the doorframe.

There’s a half-second where they both seem a little startled to see each other. Then the intruder leaps out of their hiding spot and makes a haphazard strike, their blown cover making their attack a blatant scramble.

The superhero steps back, just. A blade swings into the space they leave. They feel the waft of cold air breeze over their face, the quiet phew as it cuts the air in front of them.

“Fuck,” escapes the intruder’s lips in a breath, and the superhero has half the mind to glance at who on earth has the gall to break into their house.

A villain. No surprise there, really.

The villain makes another attempt at a stab, which the superhero deftly avoids. Thieving, maybe? The superhero ducks under a second swing, the blade sweeping over their head. But the villain wasn’t looking for anything. They were hiding. They were trying to catch the superhero unawares.

Fucking assassin.

The villain leaps for them again, finally finding their rhythm again after the surprise. The superhero dodges their blade and shoves them back. Their back bumps against the wall with a dull thump.

“Who sent you?” the superhero snaps. The villain replies with an animalistic snarl and another swipe of their knife. The superhero’s too close��the edge of the blade tears a deep crimson streak across their chest.

“None of your fuckin’ business,” the villain retorts coldly. “All you need to know is that I’m here to make sure you get what you deserve.”

Their chest burns. Their breathing is uneven. Shit. “Come on, [Villain],” the superhero says with forced nonchalance. “Humour a guy here. Who was it?”

“No one sent me,” the villain spits. “Your death is for my own gain.”

The villain leaps. The superhero’s mind is distant, thinking about the heat in their chest, and they notice entirely too late. The villain shoves them into the wall this time, the force of it bringing a bright flash of pain with it.

The superhero throws a punch. The villain sweeps out of the way like this is easy. “Your retirement will bring more joy than you could ever know,” the villain teases, already closing the space between them again. “To us, and to your own.”

Bullshit. The superhero heaves a breath that aches in their lungs. They throw a foot out in a vain kick that the villain barely even has to avoid. “You have brought that agency to its knees. The heroes won’t miss you.” A smile splits on their face, unnerving and cold in the low light. “[Hero] won’t miss you.”

The hero? The gash on the superhero’s chest is dribbling. Every breath is like lava is being poured into a crack in their heart. That doesn’t make sense. The hero loves them—everyone loves them, everyone, they do, they have to—

“Me and your little dog have gotten quite friendly recently,” the villain continues into the silence. “They tell me you’re quite the fuckin’ shitbag, [Supervillain].”

The hero. They wouldn’t. The hero, they– they love them. They wouldn’t.

“Liar,” the superhero spits like a curse.

“Yeah?” The villain brushes the knife against the superhero’s throat; a promise, a warning. “They didn’t send me, if that’s your concern. No, they asked me not to bother. I was sent by nothing but the love I feel for the person you’re destroying.”

Did the superhero not turn the heating on on their way in? It’s so cold. A hand sits numbly at their chest. One thought keeps sinking in their mind like tar —no, no, the hero loves them, of course they do, of course, they have to.

A whir of sirens pierces through the superhero like an arrow to the head. They grimace, and the villain turns to glance out the window at blurry reds and blues.

“Shit,” they say shortly. “Shit, you fucker.” They jab their blade disturbingly close to the superhero’s face. “If you survive tonight, consider me a recurring problem. I will stab you as many times as it takes to watch your hold on [Hero] loosen.”

The superhero’s emergency call is in their hand. Did they get that out? Huh. Those sirens must be the police, then.

“I have a lot more people on my side,” the superhero rasps, but when they have the mind to look up, the villain’s already gone.

Their chest is white-hot by now. They have to sit down. Each breath is scorching, short with pain. Agony has crept into their muscles; everything aches with exhaustion.

Well, a promise for a promise. If the superhero survives this, both the hero and the villain are fucking dead.

#creative writing #writblr #writers on tumblr #writing #writing community #heroes and villains #hero x villain #tw home invasion #tw knife #tw stabbing #friends i am going to die #i have to go to a works conference. on the WEEKEND #and ive been in a lil slump after the filming last week so its been nice gettin into the groove again a lil #shame its getting immediately obliterated again by work. rip #id live in a shack in the woods with nothing but a typewriter and this tumblr account if i could

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msweebyness · 8 months ago

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MiracOlympus- An Unpleasant Encounter

This is a short that takes place back in the young gods’ teenaged years, based on a moment from the second episode of the Gods School web series. But with a much more insidious context… @artzychic27 @imsparky2002

Just as a reminder:

Marc- Persephone

Mylene- Demeter

Lucien- Zelus

Enjoy!

Down in the fields around Olympus, a duo of divine siblings were picking various different crops for the feast that would take place later that night.

Marc laughed at the silly joke Mylene had just told, before he spotted some lovely Narcissus flowers growing in a grove nearby. Thinking they would be wonderful to decorate the tables, he turned to his sister.

“Hey, Sunflower, I’m gonna go pick some of those flowers in that grove to put in the centerpiece vases!”, he told her, picking up his basket and standing to leave.

“Okay, Poppy, just stay close!”, the goddess of the harvest answered with a smile, before turning back to her work.

With that, Marc made his way toward the shady grove, and began picking flowers. Gathering narcissus, wild roses, and daisies for the centerpieces, he was unaware of a pair of sharp eyes watching him…

But when he had moved fairly deep into the grove, sufficiently out of his sister’s sight, he heard a familiar voice that made his blood go cold speak to him.

“Hello, little flower.”, and Marc went rigid, turning toward the voice in a defensive stance.

“You’re not supposed to be anywhere near Olympus, Lucien. Leave now.”, he said sharply, though he couldn’t keep the tremble out of his voice, much to his dismay.

“Oh, why the cold reception, my lovely little blossom. I came all this way just to see you, after all.”, Lucien said coolly, moving out of the shadows with a serpentine grin.

“No one wants you here, least of all me! Get out of here, and for the hundredth time, leave me alone!”, Marc demanded, his hand moving toward his pocket, ready to grab the dog whistle that Nathaniel had given him, which would summon Baark to his side in an instant.

But Lucien didn’t back down, only moving closer to Marc. He reached out and cupped his cheek, making the raven-haired god shudder with revulsion.

“Come now, you don’t want me to leave.”, he purred as he leaned in so his face was only an inch or so from Marc’s, “You can’t deny what’s between us, little flower…”

Marc stiffened and quickly shoved him away, fixing him with a dagger-sharp glare.

“There is nothing between us!”, he snapped, “I love Nathaniel, and only him! And I want NOTHING to do with you!”

Lucien scowled at the mention of the redhead, and grabbed Marc’s wrist in a tight grip, pulling him in close.

“Don’t mention that name. That twerp has no place ruling over an entire domain.”, the vile god snarled, “And you shouldn’t be wasting your time on him.”

“Don’t you dare insult him! Let me go!”, Marc hissed, trying to pull himself free from Lucien’s grip. He quickly thrust his other hand into his pocket, fingers closing around the dog whistle.

However, before Lucien could make any other moves, Marc sent a prayer of thanks to the Fates as he heard his sister’s footsteps approaching, as Mylene called out for him.

“Marc? Poppy? Where are you?”

Quickly, Lucien shapeshifted into a hawk and hid in a tree, just as Mylene pushed through the cover of leaves and emerged in the grove.

“Oh, there you are! Let’s go, I think I have everything I need!”, she said, holding up her basket of grains and the like, before she noticed her brother’s disheveled state, “Poppy…are you okay?”

Straightening up, he managed to give her a smile, “Y-yeah, Sunflower, I’m fine. The, uh, the pollen is just…really thick back here.”, he quickly said, adding a sneeze for good measure.

“Well, come on, let’s get you back to Olympus for some fresh air.”, Mylene said, as Marc retrieved his basket of flowers. And with that, the two siblings flew back toward the mountain peaks, with Marc sending a cold glare back to the hawk still in the grove.

A few moments later, the hawk transformed back into a young god, glaring up at the peaks of Olympus, where he was no longer welcome…not noticing the ground giving an angry rumble below him.

Leave your thoughts in the comments and reblogs!

#miraculous ladybug #miracolympus #greek gods au #Marc anciel #mylene haprele #lucien rebois #persephone #demeter #Zelus #harassment is not okay #no means no

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good-beanswrites · 7 months ago

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A little something featuring Fuuta and Es after talking about their criminal lack of interaction in fanworks with @waivyjellyfish ! You had such awesome ideas (a few of which I'm still bouncing around in my head to post at some point,) but this one ended up taking over my brain -- I hope you enjoy 😅 Attempting to answer the widely-debated question:

“Oi, why didn’t you hit me?”

Es looked up from their paperwork.

“Prisoner number three. Most people are glad when they’re not struck.”

“Well, I’m not.”

Es usually left the door open at this hour, in case anyone had any last-minute complaints before curfew. No one usually took them up on the offer. They figured that if there was any prisoner they could count on to complain, it would be Fuuta marching through their door.

“You hit all the other guys. You even hit some of the girls that were giving you trouble. So what? You think I’m too weak? You think I can’t take it?” Fuuta spread his arms. “I can, so show me what you’ve got!”

Es sighed. They put down their pen. They folded their gloved hands together, resting their chin on top. “Fuuta, I’m not going to hit you.”

“Why not?”

“As of right now, I have no reason to. If you’re referring to the interrogations…”

They reflected on the first one they'd shared with him. To be fair, the thought had crossed their mind. It would have been satisfying to give this rowdy prisoner a taste of his own medicine – striking him after such a dramatic charge at them. But Es was always good at reading people. It didn’t take them long to understand Fuuta was the type to lash out first and ask questions later. In fact, that was likely what had landed him in Milgram in the first place.

Although Es knew they weren’t here to do any reformation, they wanted to try to show these prisoners where they’d gone wrong. So, they resolved to act as the bigger person. They’d prove that senseless violence was just that. By keeping their composure, they’d show Fuuta just how childish he was being.

That wasn’t my only reason. I guess that's true, my actions weren’t all purely righteous. I still spent the entire time looking for ways to make him squirm… But it wasn’t all cruelty. I really did want to understand. I wanted to help. That counts for something, right?

Es never struck the prisoners out of anger, or as a petty show of power. It was a way to force the prisoner to mind their ego. When they’d gotten a bit too full of themselves, a bit too comfortable with the awful deed they’d committed, Es’ blow encouraged them to feel a bit more humility and guilt.

By the time the second trial arrived, Fuuta oozed guilt.

The moment Es entered the interrogation room, it was clear that he needed no lesson in humility. He hugged his arms to his chest. His remaining eye darted around the room in thinly-veiled hysteria. His voice trembled when he spoke. It didn’t require any people-reading skills to hear the remorse that underlaid all of his accusations and threats.

Hitting the others felt like giving a dog a tap on the nose after breaking a rule. Meanwhile, Fuuta snapped and snarled like a stray who’d been kicked time and time again.

Of course, he could never know any of this. Any way Es phrased it, Fuuta would misunderstand it as pity.

Well, wasn’t it? I thought he looked like a kicked puppy – that sounds a lot like pity. No, it was out of respect. Does that mean I didn’t respect the prisoners I did hit? No. I respected them too. Then, what’s the difference?

Fuuta was still staring at them, asking the very same question. What’s the difference?

“Each of Milgram’s prisoners is unique.”

They were met with an unimpressed glare.

Es chose their words carefully. “Each one responds best to a variety of treatments. Some need attention to be comfortable, while others need time. Some need validation in order to confess. Others, a bit of debate does the trick. Some need a show of force. You –” remind me too much of myself “– require something else. I’ve learned to change my approach depending on the person I’m dealing with.”

Fuuta’s features flashed with confusion, then shame, then his usual mask of anger. “Tch. How pathetic.”

“Excuse me?”

“So you just change your personality when it’s convenient? You put up fake smiles and fake attitude? Have some balls and just be yourself.”

Es was caught by surprise. “... I am. Those are all pieces of myself. I choose to bring out different parts when it would be most helpful.”

“Sounds manipulative as hell to me.”

It makes sense he doesn’t understand. He’s a very clear-cut person, with every aspect of his personality lining up in a way that makes sense. I find that predictability fun. Or, is it something that I envy? Could it be both?

They had no time to dwell on it, as Fuuta was struck with an idea. “Though, if you can do it on command, why don’t you give me the ‘you’ that wants to hit someone?”

He spread his arms once more, hands gesturing to his chest. Es pretended not to notice him wince. They remained in their seat.

“What are you waiting for? Hit me!”

“I will not.”

“You just said you can change your personality on a whim, so let’s see it!”

“That is not what I said.”

His good eye began to look frenzied. He raised his voice. “You scared? The big bad warden of Milgram, nothing but a big coward!”

“Stop this. You’re acting childish.”

“No! You’re treating me childishly! Let me see the Es that kicked Shidou! The one that slapped Kazui! Treat me like you treated them!”

“I hit them because they said something stupid. They deserved it.”

“Are you fucking kidding? I deserve it too! I deserve it! Come on!”

At the last word, his voice broke. He stumbled to his knees. He let his head drop. He sucked in strained breath after strained breath. Shidou would surely give him a lecture about getting so worked up with his injuries.

Es finally stood.

They made their way around the desk. They knelt on the floor in front of him.

“Why?” he wheezed. “Tell me…”

“Fuuta.”

Should I just go ahead and do it, just to make him happy? No, I want to talk it out. But what do even I say? I'll tell him that I care. I can’t. None of the prisoners understand that I care. Why? Why is it so hard for them to see? I’m trying my best, why can’t they see?

Es extended their hand carefully. They didn’t know what they hoped to accomplish, but in that moment their thoughts were too loud and conflicting. They needed to do something.

Fuuta saw the gentle intention, and immediately raised his own hand to strike. It froze midair, though whether it was from Milgram’s restrictions or his own hesitation, Es would never know.

Neither of their gestures connected.

Footsteps. Then Yuno’s voice, hesitantly from the doorway. “We heard shouting, is everything alright in here?”

Es retracted their hand. A beat. Fuuta dropped his, too.

“Yuno. Yes, we’re fine. Fuuta was just heading to bed. I’m going to walk him to his cell.”

“I can handle myself.”

“I said, I’m going to walk him to his cell.”

Es stood, nodding to Yuno. When she’d gone, they turned their attention back to the prisoner crumpled on the ground. They made an effort to quiet their ever-racing thoughts.

“Listen. I know you can handle yourself. I’m not doing this because I think you’re weak. You’re strong. Don’t think for a moment that I don’t see that.”

They held out their arm to help him up. He didn’t move.

“Sometimes you are a bit too strong, if you ask me. I mean, picking fights with your prison warden, really?” They clicked their tongue. “You should be grateful for a superior that gives you second chances.”

At last, Fuuta took their hand. He avoided meeting their eyes, but his voice had softened considerably from his rant. “The only thing you give me is a headache.”

Es offered a dry smile as they pulled him to his feet. “The feeling is mutual.”

#milgram #es #fuuta kajiyama #i fully intended on writing something silly/sweet so SORRY this was a lot of drama 😭 silly and sweetness coming soon i promise adsfsdf #i really do think es would see themself in fuuta to some degree #something about them being filled with audience voices and fuuta also being a reflection of the audience... idk...#it makes me crazy how much es cares !!!! their line at the end of baptism of fire about how they dont hate the prisoners #and they now have a connection that cant be broken #and they see them all as comrades #it makes me crazy!!!#they have too many conflicting thoughts/feelings of WARDEN DUTY to flat out say 'hey i care about you'#but they do!!!! ;---;#i had some fun writing es' internal monologue like that! i debated on making it specifically a conversation between voices (using 'you' or #third person pronouns) but i think this still gets the idea across well #i know es never actually gave a straight answer to the final question but i hope this still gave a good peek at their reasoning #i genuinely dont think es pities him but he IS a pathetic wet cat in t2 and that definitely influences their actions in some way #i believe your exact words were 'red-haired fucked up dog' and i hope i could do that image justice 😎👍#drabbles

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jimmy-moron · 1 month ago

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Had Jimmy been angry at him lately? Curly hated when Jimmy avoided him—they were friends! They didn’t need to fight, right?

Good thing they both met up in the cockpit early this morning.

“Hey…” Curly stepped closer, his voice softening. “You okay? I know I’ve been caught up with all this ship nonsense lately, but you know it’s just work, right? Only work. I’m here now.” He reached out, placing a comforting hand on Jimmy’s arm. “Whatever’s got you worked up lately, we’ll sort it out. You and me, like always.”

//time to mansplain manipulate manwhore our way into this one!!

Snarling teeth meet gentle palms . Like a dog biting the owner which feeds it .

It had been building up for almost a week now . Jimmy ignoring Curly, his festering rage, his freak outs, his senseless panic everytime he was alone .

Jimmy slapped Curly's hand away with a growl, shoving his face into the other man's with a snort, " You're here now ? What does that matter, Curly ? I'm sick of you finding any reason to leave, and the others are always trying to find the next reason to drag you away ! It feels like you're all planning this shit behind me or something, " he snaps out with a nasty sneer, turning away as his arms cross quickly . Nails dug into his arms through his sleeves, teeth grinding into his upper lip as he rolled his head back, " I know Swansea fuckin' hates me, Anya has no care in the world about me, and Daisuke listens to everything those two say, " his voice dropped from a moderate shout to a dangerous grumble, eyes shifting back and forth nervously as he examined the many, many lights of the room .

It reminded him of eyes .

He whipped back around, reaching for Curly before stopping abruptly to throw his hands down to his sides, fingers curled aggressively, " If we're a team, and you want to work together, it has to be together . Stop putting me aside for them, I'm your co-pilot for fuck's sake ! "

#chat he's toxic !!1!#mouthwashing #mouthwashing rp #mouthwashing jimmy #mouthwashing curly #jimmy mouthwashing #rp blog #🔪⚠️jimron

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thingthatgoes-butch-inthenight · 2 months ago

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When a citizen of the kingdom mentions the royal hound it is no meer pedigree dog they're referring to. The title belonging to the prince's personal guard, while originally given in jest, now holds a more ominous weight.

It's quite common for you to act as my shadow. For my every step be matched in kind by the clanking of metal against metal. You never stray far enough for the metaphorical leash to pull taught, and yet even if you aren't in my immediate sight I know I'm always within yours. When I'm dealing with the common citizens you're always quick to correct someone whose stepped out of line. In most cases disrespect can be delt with by simply stepping forward with your hand to the hilt of your sword as a warning. But may the gods help whoever dares push you to bite rather than snap, for your quick blade cuts through flesh and bone with ease. Some days I'm inclined to intervene before blood is shed, but other times I simply enjoy seeing you in action.

Most seem to view our arrangement as simply your oath keeping you in servitude. A poor mutt pulled from it's litter, restrained by steel, forever at my beck and call. They never seem to realize just how much agency you have. How you act out of pure loyalty and devotion simply because you wish to. If anything you seem to anticipate my desires before I can even think to voice them.

As lovely as you are kneeling in suplication before my throne during the day, you always have a certain liveliness away from prying eyes under the cover of night. When the days are long and marked by endless training and paperwork, it brings about a snarling hunger in your eyes that I adore indulging in. Feeling the press of your teeth against my skin before each kiss always thrills me. To let our hands simply grasp and pet and claw at whatever we can reach. All the while you fuck me at a brutal pace until words are forgotten and all that pass from our lips are guttural moans and whimpers.

Ever humble, 👑

Perhaps I like the short leash you keep me on. When I get riled up feeling that sway you have over me is something truly impeccable. To feel the way you tug at my metaphorical leash to hold me back, it does nothing to calm me, but rather redirects the focus of my intensity towards you.

The sidelong glances I'm able to catch of you, perched on your throne, gentle smirk betraying that regality you've so long practiced, it throws fuel on the fire. The way you sit there, acting all strong and powerful with your jewelry glinting over fine clothes, I can't help but linger on your neck. The line of your jaw just barely peeking over the ruffled collar of your fine silk shirt captures my eyes. As I quietly return to the foot of your dias, whatever poor fool I got my hands on pleading with you behind me, I drink in every inch of skin I can find on your body. I think of how soft it is, unmarred by toil and battle, I think of the sweet scent and tastes I yearn for, I think of the marks I could leave on you tonight.

When your voice curtly ordered me to stand down all my thoughts went to the last time your fingers were tangled in my hair, telling me how to make love to you. As though you held any real power over me. A knight is bound only by loyalty. That metaphorical leash exists because I allow it to, and we both know that. But oh how I love to serve. How I love to hear your orders melt into cries of pleasure as I succeed in my task. My duty is to serve. My duty is to press my lips to yours, then down to your neck, and your chest, your nipples, your stomach, finally biting your inner thighs and sinking between your legs. Your hand tangled into my hair, locking us together in the only spot you can reach. The pull is intoxicating. The desperation with which your legs wrap around me is second only to how your hands claw and caress me when I come back up to kiss you.

The rest of the audiences that day pass like a blur to me. All I can think of is how I'll remove every garment from your body with a feverish pace. I imagine pressing my mouth past the silk ruffles to take purchase on the side of your neck as my hands grope for the buttons of your jacket. I think of how ravenously I'll take you tonight, and every word from your lips in the court instead draws up a memory of the way you moan and whine for me. I glance back to you as subtly as one can. Your legs look elegant in those pants but all I can think of is how they look thrown around me. I imagine running my hands across your body, my lips following, and just taking in every part of you.

Court couldn't end soon enough

#oh my god HELLO SORRY. i just got finished with a major exam I've been focusing on 😭 i wish I'd replied sooner #👑 anon #nsft asks #asks #knight kink #i had to think about this for absolutely so long omfg. i am so sorry it took so long do forgive me my highness

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savior-of-humanity · 9 months ago

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@hymns-across-the-stars -- continued from here!

Atreus was no stranger to being lost in a foreign realm, with little - if any - means of getting his bearings regarding just where exactly he was. It was something he was accustomed to, really, especially given how far he had traveled and how many sights he had seen in his journeys through the Nine Realms and beyond. It usually didn't take him long to adjust to a new situation, to learn how to navigate both geography and conversations with any local peoples that lived there. But the place he found himself in now was unlike anything he had ever seen in his entire life. In every direction that the Jotunn looked and traversed, Atreus was surrounded by a sprawling labyrinth of ancient, worn metal; expertly constructed, yet weathered from wind and time. Even beneath the plant life that seemed to grow from almost every single surface of the complex, he could tell that the architecture and craftsmanship was utterly alien to him. Not to mention, given just how far the tunnels and shafts that made up its depths went, no civilization he knew of could've made such a massive complex. And yet, there was no sign of any people living here...

...well, except for the creatures that called this maze home.

Many were just as alien as the labyrinth itself, though they held similarities to other creatures Atreus had seen before; multi-colored lizards the size of dogs, roving packs of spiders, enormous armored centipedes, and too many other little things to list off. He swore he saw a glimpse of what looked like some sort of enormous bird-like creature soaring above, but given the huge towers that reached up to the heavens and obscured the sky almost totally, it disappeared just as quickly as he'd spotted it. Survival wasn't too difficult, which was largely due to the relative abundance of both safe food and drinking water; but as the sun eventually began to approach the distant horizon, he knew he'd have to find shelter for the night. There was no telling what sort of nasty critters would come out in the dark, after all - but the abrupt noise of some distant commotion snapped Atreus out of his thoughts of finding a place to hunker down. Atreus paused and listened; normally, he'd avoid it entirely as it'd usually just be a scuffle between some big lizards, but there were no snapping jaws, guttural snarls, teeth digging into skin and flesh. What he could hear insisted solely of ghastly shrieks and what he could only describe as small explosions. Logic dictated that he should ignore it and keep looking for shelter while he still had daylight - but something about it urged him to go, to look. And look he would. It'd taken him a while given how long and winding the passages of the labyrinth's underbelly were, but eventually he'd crawl out of a vent overlooking a small ledge to spot the source of the once-distant battle. There were two creatures that were of immediate interest to Atreus; one was a huge, gaunt and avian-looking creature, much like the one he had spotted a glimpse of earlier in the day. Its hostile gaze was locked upon the other individual; a small red-furred creature resembling some strange cross between a mollusk and a cat. And, based on the way they not only held their body posture but also wielded a spear, Atreus immediately guessed that the little thing was not only intelligent, but also exhausted from a previous fight. He didn't hesitate to notch an arrow into the string of his bow, draw, and then send it flying straight at the tusked face of the bird-beast. In that moment, Atreus learned two things; the first was that the skull-like face of the "bird" was not a face but rather a mask. Through a stroke of luck, the arrow had hit at just the right angle to dislodge it from the creature's true face, sending it clattering to the overgrowth below. The second was that this also happened to piss it off. Severely.

He didn't wait for its response - already he had leapt from the ledge to the ground below, landing into a roll to minimize potential injury from the impact, before he jumped back to his feet and began to run like Hel to the closest semblance of safety. Which, coincidentally, happened to be in the general direction of the red-furred spear wielder. "GO!" He had no idea if they could understand him or if they could even speak, but he hoped that at the very least, the urgency and volume of his voice would spook the creature into fleeing as well. "RUN! RUN! I HAVE ITS ATTENTION!" He knew that because he could literally hear it coming after him with those huge beating wings. All he could really do was hope that he was faster than it was.

#rp thread #son of war; atreus #threads of fate; crossover verse #hymns-across-the-stars #AUGH sorry this is. so late....#also sorry that its long lmao i have a bad tendency of getting reaaally invested into describing scenes 😔

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sea-creature-things · 2 months ago

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Grimwalker Things

Chapter 6: An itchy weakness

I return with gifts of comfort... eventually.

This chapter is a direct continuation of the last chapter "Sleep" (cuz I don't believe in consistency). This chapter was kicking my ass, but I still loved making it <33

Read here below the cut or on AO3 with this link:

Hunter sat cross legged on the floor of the basement. His friends were all in front of him, snuggled up in the nest they had built hours ago. At least, he hoped it had been hours.

Time was blending in itself.

He yawned for what felt like the hundredth time, purposefully not suppressing it. It was a good way to keep himself awake, taking in a big amount of air and temporarily increasing his heart rate. He had a dozen tactics to help him stay alert at night.

He gripped Flapjack's staff closer against his chest.

He had breathing techniques for this, different from the one Gus had taught him, but this one was used to stay mindful instead of to calm down from a panic attack. Breathing rapidly for 15 seconds, then slowly for another 15 using his abdomen. It might work the same way for panic attacks, he probably wouldn’t remember that for next time though.

Hunter also counted. He counted blankets, pillows, boxes and fairy lights. He counted fingers and toes. He counted everything that could be counted. It was a good technique too, just like watching. Very actively watching everything around him.

Watching over them.

Willow was sprawled out, limbs in complete disarray. Gus was cuddled up to her left side, hugging her stomach as one of her legs was draped over both of his. Amity had mirrored him on the witch’s right side at first, but now she was entangled with Luz. Which Hunter thought was as adorable as it was hilarious.

Since Luz was drooling and snoring, while Amity slept like a fairytale princess. Her pink hair was draped behind her like silk and her limbs were placed delicately, she was even smiling like someone in a movie. Luz’s hair on the other hand was anywhere and everywhere, she’ll have a bad case of bedhead in the morning. Sometimes she even kicked her legs like a dog, but that was entirely due to Vee’s tail trapping them in place. Still, she was sleeping way more chaotic than their demon sister. Who had a calm grip on her blankets and was snuggling into her pillow. Vee often made a trilling sound, like the happy version of a snarl. Also adorable and hilarious.

Hunter would be happy to report they all slept soundly, as if they were dusted with sleeping nettles. Well, mostly soundly.

Willow had been moving around a lot in her sleep. At one point she'd kicked Amity's shin, Hunter cringed knowing how painful that was. Their pink haired engineer had groaned and turned on her back, her head lifted slightly. Hunter was worried she'd wake up and notice him sitting there. Her eyes opened and he was sure he was done for, but Amity lay back down. It was probably too dark for her to see anything anyways.

When Amity moved to cuddle with Luz, another arm got hucked at her head. Luckily it missed, but Hunter suddenly had to try very hard to suppress a laugh. Briefly dropping Flap’s staff on his lap to clasp both hands over his mouth. His lungs ached as they expanded with nowhere to put the air. A muffled noise escaped through his fingers.

It had completely messed up his concentration. He returned to his breathing exercise, gradually calming down and regaining his usual posture.

Hunter was probably the only one who liked the fact that Willow thrashed around so much in her sleep. It was cute. It fit her fierce and competitive spirit well. Most of all, it let him know that she was there.

It let him know that she was alive.

He needed that right now. He had to make sure they were all safe.

Hunter’s thoughts were interrupted by the basement door creaking open and bright rays of light filling the room. His head snapped to it, seeing Camila peeking through the opening. All he could do was watch as she walked down a few steps in order to look over the railing. He saw her scan the others with a fond smile, until she found him.

Their eyes locked and suddenly his actions felt a little silly. He'd been so sure that guarding them was the right thing to do, the only thing he could do. But now... was he wrong?

Camila's surprised and instantly worried expression seemed to suggest so. He looked away before her face made him feel queasy. Was she mad? Disappointed? Luz said one of them was worse, but he couldn't remember which one. Disappointing Belos always made him mad, there was no worse.

Maybe just worried was worse to him, he couldn’t handle her gentle, caring face. The matriarch slowly and quietly descended the stairs.

He rose to his feet to try and ease some of her concerns, but he was more unstable than he expected. He stumbled backwards, only able to catch himself using Flap’s staff as counterbalance.

"G-good morning." He stuttered in a pretty bad attempt to seem normal. Which was made worse by his body automatically going to stand at attention. Despite that, he tried to give her a cheerful smile.

Camila didn’t respond right away, the look on her face strangled his insides. With furrowed brow she examined him, her gaze flitting from side to side as she kept switching between both his eyes. Her mouth moved without sound, she didn’t know what to say. Then she sighed.

“Are you okay, hijo?” Her voice soft and warm. Camila held his face and rubbed his cheek with her thumb. Hunter looked up surprised.

He nodded, not trusting his voice. He was sure his face already betrayed him, shaky lip and misty eyes.

Camila somehow looked even more perturbed. She scanned the nest where his friends were still sleeping like babies. She looked like she was pondering something, then breathed in deep and focused on him again.

“Wanna help me make breakfast?” Her hand moved to pet his hair, before landing on his shoulder.

“Yes!” He almost forgot he was supposed to be quiet. He hurried a glance at his friends, but they didn't even stir.

“Okay.” She whispered with a nod. Giving him another gut punching smile, she tugged his shoulder ever so slightly and led him to the stairs.

Once they ascended and he followed their host out the door, the golden sunlight hit him. The warm rays tickled his nose, blinding his eyes. It completely took over the hallway, granting it a very welcome glow. It was finally day, after a night that felt like an eternity.

Finally dawn.

He saw Camila waiting for him to finish basking. He instantly picked up his pace. He shouldn't do that, Belos hated waiting.

He tripped again, but this time it wasn't because his feet gave out. Realisation struck him like lightning.

Camila wasn't Belos.

She wasn't anything like him at all. Why was he thinking about him!? Why was he acting as he would if he was still-

He shook his head, heart beating loud against his ribcage. He released a breath he didn’t realise he was holding. Camila hadn’t seen his stumble, already leaving in the direction of the kitchen. He hastily picked up the pace, doing his best to hide his gasping.

Everything was fine, he wasn’t the Golden Guard anymore. He was fine.

He got his breathing under control and, luckily, Camila didn’t appear to notice. When he trailed behind her into the kitchen, he looked out the window and saw he’d been mistaken. It wasn’t even close to dawn. He threw a glance at the microwave’s clock, reading 10:43 am. No wonder last night had felt twice as long.

Maybe that wasn’t a wonder either way.

"You can put the staff away, dear." Camila said fondly as she walked behind the kitchen island. She wore an amused smile as she looked him up and down.

"Oh right." A flash of yellow magic brought the bird back to chirping and flying.

And he was NOT happy.

Chirruping up a storm that was too fast and too incoherent for Hunter to follow. He tugged very hard on his long hair strand in the front, his chirps becoming even more scrambled. With every flap of his wings, he yanked on his head.

“Ow ow ow ow, Flap!” Hunter bumped into the table, trying to escape his palisman. The little bird spat out the blonde strands, realising his outrage might actually be hurting his witch.

“You shouldn’t have done that!” Flapjack flew close to his face. He hung in the air wheezing and Hunter was frozen. They were at a standstill. Only until Flap could catch his breath. “You were supposed to go to sleep!”

“Flap I’m sorry.” Hunter knew he messed up, but he hadn’t expected the little bird to be this mad. “I’m sorry for putting you in staff form, but I needed to!”

“You needed sleep Hunter!” He squawked again. “Still do!”

"I know, but-"

“You made a promise.” The cardinal spoke softer, landing on the table. Was this the difference between disappointed and mad? He folded his wings and continued in those low cheeps. “You were going to try.”

“I did try. But I... I can't Flapjack." Hunter's voice strained, threatening to crack. "I can't."

“Oh Hunter…” Flap’s eyes turned somber and worried. He lowered down to be at eye level with his palisman, crouching until his chin rested on the table in between his hands. The little bird instantly hopped closer, bumping his head against him and nuzzling his cheek. He faintly sung a soothing melody. “It’s okay, you’re okay.”

Hunter closed his eyes, feeling the soft feathers brush against his face. He wanted to apologise again, but the words got caught in his throat. Flap sung more sweet sentiments, he felt a lot better as the air between them slowly became less intense.

“I am sorry for yelling at you.” His palisman said and Hunter instantly shook his head. The muscles in his legs started to acidify, resulting in a sharp ache. Rising to his feet again, he held out his hands as a platform for Flap to jump on.

“I mean, you had a pretty good reason to be angry.” He said, feeling a little ashamed. The bird stretched his legs, his little claws carefully placed on his hands.

“Yes, don’t do that again.” Flap flew up on his shoulder. He perched and folded his wings, planning to stay right there for a long time. “But you went through a lot yesterday, so I understand. Just promise me you’ll sleep soon?”

“I promise I’ll try.” Said Hunter. He saw a red tail flicking out of the corner of his eye. But Flap nodded in agreement.

When he turned around, he was greeted by a very confused and intrigued Camila. To be honest, he had forgotten she was there, and what he was doing in the kitchen. He stared at her like a deer in headlights. She raised an eyebrow. Hunter hurriedly walked over to her, to actually do what he was supposed to.

“Flap’s pretty mad.” Hunter smiled nervously. He needed to tell her something as explanation.

“Was.” His palisman corrected, puffing out his chest feathers.

“He’s just worried about you.” Camila said and Flap nodded with a huff. She scratched him under his chin, earning some happy trills. “And he’s probably right.”

“Definitely.” Hunter swallowed hard. “I just- I-I-I just c-c-“

“It’s alright, baby.” She stroked his hair, spurring him to take a calming breath with her other hand. With her guidance, Hunter felt all the tension fall from his shoulders. Camila gave him a cheeky grin. “Now, these pancakes aren’t gonna make themselves.”

Hunter smiled, and for the first time that morning, it was real.

“Can you grab the milk and eggs, hijo?” Their caretaker directed him to the fridge while she pulled a bowl from one of the cabinets.

She had been calling him ‘hijo’ a lot lately. Hunter had no idea what it meant, but at this point he was scared to ask. He assumed it was similar to when she called him ‘dear’ or ‘baby’.

He also noticed she liked to pet his head a lot, but he didn't mind.

Camila got the whisk out of the drawer, while he grabbed the other supplies for the pancakes. This human breakfast food had been and instant success with them, it was Hunter's favourite from the first time he ate one. Though, being related to Flapjack's namesake might have something to do with that.

After gathering all the ingredients, Camila told him to start cracking eggs. As he picked one out of the carton Hunter felt it slips out of his fingers. He watched it fall as if in slow motion, entirely perplexed that something escaped his normally careful hand.

"Uhhh..." Is all he could say when it splat into the bowl, the shell shattering into tiny pieces. He slowly turned to Camila, but she laughed. A bubbly kind of laugh that didn’t seem to be at his expense.

"That's alright." She said between chuckles, fishing the eggshells out. She held out another one for him to try again.

"Maybe it's better if you do it." Hunter said with a nervous smile. Camila shrugged and cracked the rest of the eggs. He dubiously studied his hand, still not really understanding what went wrong.

Camila weighed the right amount of flower, sugar, and milk and poured them into the bowl, then she handed Hunter the whisk. He was able to mix everything without spilling, thank Titan.

“Isn’t it too late for breakfast?” He asked, eyeing the microwave's little clock again.

“Breakfast can be whatever I want it to be.” Camila said cheekily, Hunter couldn't help but laugh. It burst out of him in a somewhat hesitant giggle. Camila looked very proud of herself, beaming as she poked his cheek. “¿Es verdad no?

Camila carried the mixture to the countertop and put a pan with butter on the stove. They quickly settled into a routine where Hunter would put the batter in the pan and she would fry and flip them.

Flap was hanging around Camila, perching on her shoulders, picking at her hair - a lot softer than he's ever done to his witch - and standing on her hands whenever possible. Hunter warned him to not annoy her so much, but the Dominican woman assure them it was fine.

Hunter answered her questions about palismen and she answered his about human realm animals. They quickly got on the topic of her job, Camila explained what exactly she did and he listened with great interest. He wished he could come with her some time.

“Wait, it’s Thursday.” Hunter realised with growing anxiety. “Don’t you need to get to work? Doesn’t Luz have to go to school?”

“Don’t worry, hijo.” She assured him as she flipped another pancake. “I called to the school and explained that Luz would stay home today. And I’m taking a day off from work. Obviously I couldn’t tell them why, so I said it was for personal reasons.”

Camila’s explanation washed away his stress, but his insides still squirmed. He felt horrible for causing so much trouble. Preparing breakfast had apparently served as a great distraction, but now all the shame came flooding back.

Hunter didn’t feel like much help frying the pancakes. He constantly dropped things, knocked over other things, stumbled over nothing. But Camila was patient, holding the important stuff steady and cleaning up after him like it was no big deal.

She didn’t seem to care that he was awful today. And despite everything, Hunter actually had a lot of fun making food together. Camila appeared to enjoy it too, even though it took them ages.

By the time they were done, it might as well been their lunch.

Camila clapped her hands after they used up all the batter, two plates with high stacks of pancakes were waiting to be devoured. She said that they should set the table first and then wake up the others, to give them just a little more time to sleep. She got out some plates and walked to the table.

When he followed her with the cutlery in hand, he bumped into the kitchen island. The corner dug painfully in his side. He made a weird low breathy sound and Camila turned on her heels.

"I'm okay!" He choked out before she could ask. She eyed him suspiciously as he gripped his side. He smiled awkwardly. Camila supposedly decided to spare him, she sighed and went back to what she was doing.

“Should we wake the others now?” Hunter asked only a few minutes later, as he stood back and admired their work.

“Sí, I’ll go get them,” Camila pat his shoulder again. But because it didn’t feel warranted to him, he looked up at her surprised. “You brace yourself.”

He gave her yet another nervous smile. Before he could ask to come with, she had already disappeared around the corner. Her parting words of advice finally registered in his brain and he realised it was for the best.

He needed some time to prepare.

He reached a hand up, to where Flapjack had made himself comfortable in his hair, and felt a pointy beak softly rubbing against his palm. He absentmindedly scratched him under the chin, letting the sensation sooth him before one of the most awkward and tense days of his life began.

He could do this, right?

Suddenly, the peace and tranquility he’d experienced before was vanquished. Gus burst into the room, screeching to a stop in front of him.

��Hunter!” He yelled with a wide smile, like he’d been looking for him. “Good morning!”

“G-good morning!” He stumbled over his words. At least it wasn’t the floor this time. Last thing he needed right now was Gus watching him trip.

The others filed into the room, saying a couple of ‘good morning’s. They all started talking over each other and Hunter had no idea who to focus on. Camila made up the rear, giving him a sympathetic smile once he was surrounded.

“How are you feeling?” Gus grabbed his attention by tapping his arm. He also captured everyone else’s, it suddenly got uncomfortably silent. Six pairs of eyes locked on him.

“Great!” Hunter lied, giving his buddy a thumbs-up. He had no idea why he kept trying, he knew nobody would believe him.

He just hoped that one day he’d miraculously get better a lying.

As expected, Gus gave him a sceptical look. Luz was behind him, crossing her arms. She looked more annoyed than anything, shooting him a sour expression. Flapjack ruffled his hair in a silent show of support. Hunter decided not to study the expressions of the rest of his friends, he’d predicted this tension but that didn’t make it any less uncomfortable. Everyone was well aware of the giant ratworm in the room.

“Did you sleep well?” Amity asked nonchalantly. She was able to rip that bandaid off a lot better than anyone else. She still looked uneasy, even if it didn’t show in her voice.

“Um… sure.” His voice trailed off, he didn’t know where to look.  “Did you sleep at all last night?” Willow didn’t miss a beat. Hunter’s eyes snapped to her and he froze, he knew lying wouldn’t work but he didn’t want to admit it either.

“Hunter!” She crossed her arms, eyes wide in disbelief. His hesitation had already told her everything she needed to know.

"I tried... kind of." He squirmed under her fiery eyes.

“Hunter.” Her voice was thick with disappointment. It had a chokehold on his heart, making his brain race a million miles a second.

He had to make this stop. Right. Now.

“Look!” Hunter slid to the side, revealing the delicious breakfast table. In a desperate attempt to distract them. “Breakfast!”

Gus and Vee gasped, apparently they hadn’t noticed the table yet. Strange, but helpful. Willow and Amity, who was standing right next to her, definitely had. They gave him a very displeased look.

Whatever. Keep going.

“We have pancakes, a fan favourite I know,” He waved his hand with a theatrical flare he hadn’t used in a while. Luz and Willow exchange a look, but he tried not to think about it. “There’s orange juice and milk. We’re out of soy-milk, so Luz don’t drink that. We only have maple syrup as a topping, but that’s the best one anyways so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

As he rambled on, he moved to the other side of the room at a snail’s pace. Vee unfortunately noticed and followed him, all the while excitedly chattering with Gus and Camila. The other three girls were whispering, Amity pointed to the table. In response to whatever she said, Willow nodded and smiled. Hunter was happy to see it, partly because he was running out of things to say.

Luz, after petting her shoulder, slipped between them to follow her sister. The group still at the door started talking over each other again. Hunter was pretty sure they were enthusiastic though, their breakfast did look delicious.

Vee said something he couldn’t quite catch, but she stared at him with a questioning look.

“What?” He asked for clarification, feeling sorry that she had to repeat herself. Luz, now standing next to her, was squinting her eyes. Hunter much rather focused on Vee.

“Did you make those?” The basilisk pointed to the stacks of pancakes.

“Ohhh, no Camila did.” Hunter waved his hands in front of him. “I only helped a little.”

“Okay good, then it’s actually edible.” Vee smirked, punching his arm lightly.

“Why wouldn’t it be-“ Hunter abruptly realised she was insulting his cooking skills. She loved teasing him ever since he burned her omelette, five weeks ago. He playfully slapped her arm back. “Hey! I’ve been getting better!”

Vee giggled and wrapped her arm around his back, leaning her head against his shoulder. Hunter felt a little awkward in the side hug, not sure what to do besides giving her a grateful smile.

“Are you okay?” Luz quietly asked, in a way that made him think she already knew the answer. If he wasn’t sure by her tone of voice, her almost suspicious eyes sealed the deal. Her face was taught with worry, sending a fresh wave of guilt through Hunter’s conscience.

“Yeah!” He tried lying again, just in case that miracle finally happened. She stared at him with an incredulous expression.

But what was she expecting? She should know him by now.

Luz looked at Willow, Gus, Amity and her mom still animatedly chatting, then back to him. A softer expression on her face. Hunter followed her glances to their sister too. Maybe she thought that he’d open up if it was just the three of them. Maybe he would. If he didn’t feel so jumpy.

“Let’s eat before it gets cold.” Camila clapped her hands, then motioned to the table. Saving him from this personal hell.

Breakfast had the intended effect of calming down the room as they happily devoured their food. Hunter was extremely glad they enjoyed it, feeling more relaxed as they fell into their usual banter.

But his friend’s mood hadn’t completely turned around yet. The tension still hung over them like the grey clouds before a rainstorm, or the electricity in the air right before thunder strikes.

And he was still a wreck with no dexterity, almost spilling his orange juice on his pancakes. What a horrible combo that would’ve been. His antsy fingers were only made worse by everyone constantly staring at him.

But all things considered, breakfast went pretty well. Afterwards Hunter immediately made himself useful. He offered to do the dishes, but was told that they had a dishwasher for a reason. Naturally, he still collected all the plates and silverware to put them in said dishwasher.

The witches protested, but he somehow convinced them it was no big deal. To be fair, they would have to physically stop him from loading a dishwasher.

They wouldn’t go that far. Yet.

In the same way, Hunter couldn’t stop Amity and Gus from helping him. She offered to lessen the workload, then her and Gus walked over without waiting for his response. The rest wanted to help as well, but doing this with six people was a bit ridiculous.

Afterwards, Hunter volunteered to do more chores. He asked Camila if he could do the laundry, she was a little taken aback but agreed. She was confused by his sudden and chaotic need to help around the house.

“Hunter,” Willow stopped him from leaving. She hadn’t expected him to stop so abruptly and the look on his face made her feel uneasy. She struggled with what to say next, she was really worried about him. "Take it easy today, okay?"

"No no no, I'm fine!" He assured while walking backward to the door. He had great difficulty looking her in the eyes. His jittery nerves not just from the tense atmosphere this time.

He bumped his shoulder against the doorframe as he made his escape. A defeated sigh escaped Willow’s mouth. Luz shot her a knowing smile, petting her shoulder again.

"I mean, that’s what I expect him to say, but I still don't like it." The plant witch pouted, resting her chin on her hand. Luz laughed like a deflating balloon.

“He’s gonna do this all day, isn’t he?” She asked, but it was more like an observation. Her mom followed their exchange with growing concern in her eyes.

“Yup.” Vee confirmed dejected.

And that’s exactly what the better part of his afternoon consisted of; chores. He washed a few piles of laundry. Vee came to check on him and he assured her that he didn’t need any help this time. But she insisted to keep him company in case anything went wrong, since she knew more about human machines.

He collected the mail from the box outside and sorted it. Then he cleaned the bathrooms. He wanted to grab the duster again, but Ghost looked at the thing with murderous intent. So he took out the trash instead.

In short, he kept busy.

And he tripped, stumbled, bumped and fumbled his way through everything. His eternal eye-bags had darkened in colour. And talking or listening was proving impossible at times.

He'd rather not admit how many times he's walked into a wall.

“Hey,” Luz tapped his arm in passing, when he walked past her in the upstairs hallway. He stopped to listen, hoping she needed his help with something. “Can I talk to you?”

“Oh uh- I… um, I gotta go…” Hunter clambered for an excuse. He knew what this would be about and he wanted nothing more than to leave. “Vacuum! I gotta go vacuum.”

Luz was exasperated watching him run off again. She sighed and entered the study room where her mom was working on her computer.

“Mamí,” Luz said, not meaning to sound as whiney as she did. “Can’t you do something?”

“I think he needs the distraction.” said Camila, not even needing to look up from the screen to know what her daughter was talking about.

“I dunno…” Luz thought about it. She couldn’t decide if what Hunter was doing was really a healthy distraction or a bad one. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I really hope I am.” Her mom admitted with a certain eyebrow-raised look at her computer.

A few hours went by where Hunter only did housework. The longer it went on, the more keen his friends were on on making him rest.

Gus and Amity followed him around, helping him like they did with the dishwasher. They hovered next to everything he did. It was sweet, but it also got a little irritating. Vee and Luz tried to, in their own words, ‘talk some sense into him’. Which didn’t work.

Flapjack had given up trying to stop him. Very tired from flying around him the entire time, he decided to take a nap upstairs. After making his witch promise again to sleep this time come nightfall.

Willow somehow managed to sweet-talk him into lazing around in the garden. It started with her asking for help with her gardening, he should’ve known she was scheming. And when he finally realised — he jumped up to sputter out a sudden accusation which Willow only met with remorseless nodding — he had already wasted a whole hour.

But her vibrant smile had made it totally worth it.

He really liked being in the garden with her. Willow was just so completely in her element. Obviously she was a plant witch, but even besides that she was so enthralled by the outdoors.

Her most genuine and biggest smiles were in the garden. Her eyes actually sparkled. And her laugh! Titan, her laugh came so easily outside.

He’d make some stupid pun about the flowers she was planting and she would giggle, carefree and giddy. It made his insides worm around, but in a good way this time.

But still! Out there in the garden, he wasn’t actually doing anything. He wasn’t making himself useful. He wasn’t helping Camila. At best, they were making the backyard look nice.

That wasn’t good enough!

He quickly got back inside, having the misfortune of dashing past the rest of the hexsquad. They yelled his name, chasing after him into the living room, where he frantically searched for something to do.

“Hunter, stop!” Vee shouted almost angrily.

“Dude!” Luz shouted as well. “Calm down!”

Hunter’s shoulders tensed up as the room plunged into the most stressful environment since he woke up that morning. Willow joined the other witches at the door, blocking the way out.

They probably didn’t plan it, but now he was trapped. And it made his gut drop and his brain ring alarm bells.

He had to mitigate this situation somehow.

“Just stop.” Vee said again, slowly coming closer. Her arms moved like she was hushing a wild beast, her expression turned more gentle. “Take a break or something.”

“No. I don’t need a break.” He said calmly, trying to reassure them. “Guys, I’m fine.”

“No you’re not,” said Willow. “You didn’t get any sleep last night.”

“You need sleep to function. You need energy.” Gus added. Amity who was standing next to him nodded vigorously. They both shot him a pointed glare.

"I have done a lot more with a lot less." Hunter told them, remembering all the excruciating missions he went on with hardly any rest in between.

"That does not make me feel better." Gus countered, moving his hands around wildly and giving him a confused look.

Hunter, getting more nervous as he felt he was losing this battle, took a few steps backwards. He looked around, anywhere to avoid the eyes of his disappointed friends.

“Hunter, you look terrible.” Amity gestured to his general direction, walking further into the room

“Thanks Amity.” he deadpanned.

“I just mean you should rest.” She sighed, putting her hands on her hips. “You’ve been running around all day, doing chores. And that’s fine, I think I get it, but you’re not giving yourself a chance to relax.”  Her words resonated with him. She probably did understand, more than anyone else. He’s known since the beginning that she, just like him, just wanted to be useful.

“I have to-“ Hunter got caught off in the middle of his appeal. There was a sudden pain that shot up through his body, he had stubbed his toe on the coffee table. He stumbled and his knees gave out, he fell to the ground with a loud thud.

Before anyone could react, Hunter immediately sat up and held his right knee with pure anger. The buildup of frustration from every trip and collision boiling over.

“Work, damn you!” He yelled at his own leg as he shook it violently. A groan that sounded uncomfortably close to a growl escaped his mouth. He forcefully put both feet flat on the ground and stood up.

He's been in much worse conditions where he wasn't such a stumbling baby giraffe!

He stomped his leg a few times on the ground, making sure the stupid thing worked now. It also helped to relieve some of that finger-curling aggression he felt.

Right when he wanted to walk it off, he remembered the people at the doorway. Absolutely mortified, he slowly turned to see their reactions.

This was NOT helping his case.

Vee, Gus and Luz looked completely stunned, they didn’t react outside of a blinking stare. Willow and Amity looked like they had been ready to help him stand up, outstretched arms and a wide-eyed look of concern plastered on their faces.

Hunter cleared his throat in an attempt to combat the embarrassment, but it only felt more awkward. There was a long moment of silence, where all Hunter could think of was how he was going to get out of there. His face felt like it was on fire. He had to say something, get ahead of their lectures.

“Okay, I know you guys are not gonna believe me, but I am totally fine.” He laughed nervously.

“Alright that’s it! You have to take a break!” Gus yelled. He pointed at him with burning determination in his eyes. “Lay down or I will tackle you."

"Ha! I'd like to see you try." Hunter said smugly. The absurdity of his threat distracting his tired brain from what it should be doing, reassuring his friends. He brought a proud hand to his chest. “I’ve been trained in all forms of combat and I will not be-"

"AAAAHHHHH!!" Gus yelled as he charged at him. Hunter didn't expect him to actually attempt a tackle, but before he could even react the illusion witch was only inches away.

His arms were spread wide, swiftly wrapping around his target. When his chest made contact with Hunter’s abdomen, the power behind his small friend forced him to take a few steps backwards. Which wasn’t possible. The edge of the couch dug into his legs and they both fell onto it with a massive thud.

Hunter groaned in crushing pain, most of which coming from his bruised ego. There were a few concerned sounding voices, as well as a few laughs. Gus had landed with his head on the older witch’s chest and he giggled, looking proudly at him.

"Coming in hot!" Vee dashed around the coffee table.

"Nonononono, Vee please-" Hunter's plea went savagely ignored. The basilisk jumped on top of them both, knocking the wind out of his lungs. The impact made the couch creak in pain, harmonising nicely with Hunter's groan and the laughter from across the room.

Gus shrieked, which quickly evolved into a roaring laugh together with Vee. Hunter looked away from their stupid little faces, otherwise he wouldn't help but laugh as well. His frown wavered either way.

The new weight shifted and changed, hard boney edges turning into a soft and round body. Her true form was a lot more comfortable, but he was still very much being crushed by the two of them.

Well, he could still breathe and the way they were draped on top of him now wasn’t painful. But he was definitely trapped.

Which, he finally realised, was probably the plan.

"Ya know, I sleep better with a weighted blanket." Vee piped up with a chipper tone of voice. "It's nice to have something giving that pressure."

Gus nodded in agreement. They shared a grinning look before simultaneously turning their gaze on him.

"I can't sleep now, it's the middle of the day!" Hunter protested, straining his neck to see them. He wasn’t giving up so easily, trapped or not.

"It's called a siesta," Gus said with a smirk. “Right Luz?"

"Yup!" Said Luz, popping the p. She had moved in front of the tv, together with Amity and Willow. Hunter looked at the three girls, still giggling and snorting.

"I'm guessing I can't count on any of you coming to rescue me?" He flashed a hopeful smile, wishing he’d be proven wrong.

"Absolutely not." Amity shot his hopes down immediately.

"In your dreams." Willow said sassily. Hunter felt heat creep onto his cheeks. He quickly locked his eyes on the ceiling. He was just really embarrassed is all!

"Alright you leave me with no other choice." He said, pretending to give up and resign himself to this couch prison. He let Vee and Gus share a look of victory before raising his hands to his mouth. "Flap! I need a teleport! ... Please?!"

The room got loud with laughter. Hunter didn’t miss the familiar chirps of his palisman though. Flapjack flew in, but he landed on Willow's shoulder.

"No." He chirped.

"What do you mean 'no'?" Hunter was baffled. "You're my palisman."

"I am." Flapjack twittered, nonchalantly preening a few chest feathers. "And the answer is no."

"Good job Flap" Willow giggled, nudging her cheek against his little face. Flap happily returned her affection.

"Traitor." Hunter mumbled, letting his head fall back down. He should’ve known the cardinal wouldn’t help him escape. Maybe he was still mad at him.

Flap flew over to the couch cushion. He nudged his little cheeks against him, showing he wasn’t angry. Hunter’s relief quickly turned to confusion. If he wasn’t angry then why did he have to stay here like this?

“If you can’t sleep, just rest.” The palisman said. Maybe he saw this as ‘doing it for his own good’. And Hunter should probably count himself lucky to have such well-meaning and doting palisman. Well, he didn’t feel very lucky today.

This wasn’t good for him. He didn’t need to rest!

“Flap…”

“Amity’s right.” He chirped against his protest. “This nonstop running around isn’t healthy. You can do more chores after you take a break.”

“She’s always right.” Hunter whispered annoyed, dodging the actual topic. His arms found a more comfortable spot around the little gremlins on top of him. Since it looked like he wasn’t getting out of here anytime soon.

“Hunter.” Flap pecked him gently on the nose. “Just relax for a bit.”

He hummed in confirmation, not really saying any words. But Flapjack accepted it happily.

“Love you~” He sung. Hunter pouted and mumbled his response, moving his head to the other side. That wasn’t sufficient for Flap, who hopped up on the back rest looking down on his boy expectantly.

“Love you too.” Hunter humoured him, still feeling salty. He ignored the numerous ‘aww’s from his friends.

Flapjack meant well, they all did. But this just wasn’t what he needed.

Still, he really did love that bird, so Hunter followed his advice. Resting, not sleeping, not closing his eyes.

It was good enough for his friends. Amity and Luz disappeared upstairs, and Willow sat on the floor with her back against the couch reading a book. They were satisfied with his surrender.

Vee had hopped off and was on her phone in the cozy chair, but Gus remained as his weighted blanket.

She was right, it was nice. But Hunter was never going to admit that.

A very easily removable blanket by the way, Gus was not that heavy. But he didn’t want Flapjack to get mad again and he didn’t want to disappoint his friends, they needed this more than him anyways. He could stay put for them. For a while. Probably. Maybe.

Besides, he looked adorable like this. Snuggled against him, eyes closed and cheek smushed on his chest. It would be pretty ironic if Gus ended up napping instead of him.

Hunter looked to the side, just able to see Willow as she was nose deep in her book. She absentmindedly pushed up her glasses. He also thought she looked adorable, but in a different way somehow. He shook the weird thought out of his head.

“What are you reading?” He whispered. She turned her head and scoffed in amusement. She sat up straighter and put one arm on the couch cushions to lean on, looking at him directly with a disapproving gaze. Hunter smiled slyly. “People can rest and talk at the same time.”

Willow burst out into a soft, breathy laugh. It filled his chest with pride as the heat crept onto his face again.

“I’m reading that new gardening book I got at the library.” Willow whispered back. She held it up so he could read the title: The Gardener’s Complete Manual. “It’s really interesting actually, it has several chapters about growing edible plants. Which could really help me maintain Camila’s vegetable patch. Look, this one’s called ‘from seed to bloom’, isn’t that cute?”

Hunter nodded as she held the book next to her excited face. He definitely thought it was cute.

“Can you read it to me?” He suggested. She looked surprised for a second, blinking a few times. Then she regained her previous knowing expression.   “Hunter…” Willow rolled her eyes.   “Please?” He dropped his confident act, sending her a pleading face. “I’m so bored.”

“Fine.” She turned back to sit more comfortably on the floor. Her cheeks looked flushed, but he must’ve imagined it. Was he really so tired he was starting to see things?

Hunter diligently listened as the plant witch read to him about her favourite topic. He genuinely enjoyed learning about it, but sometimes he’d get distracted by the was she brushed her hair behind her ear. Sometimes he caught himself listening to her voice more than her words.

“I have to get back to the garden and finish up my work real quick,” She said after reading the entire chapter. She stood up, placing the book on the coffee table as she set her eyes on him again. “Are you gonna be okay here?”

“Do I have a choice?” He asked hopeful.

“No.” She said cheerfully, breaking his heart with a smile on her face. And she walked away.

Now he was stuck here with no distractions. Just his thoughts, lovely.

He should’ve been less chaotic. If he was half as frazzled, they wouldn’t have been so worried. The whole point of doing chores was to show them they didn’t have to worry! He wanted to be of use and help Camila after everything she’d done for them.

And everything she’d done for him specifically. After the night that they had, that he caused… But he just ended up causing them more stress. Again.

Titan, this was torture!

Didn’t Willow just leave? How long has he been in this silence? And how long will he have to stay in it, keeping his thoughts from spiralling?

No, no, he could do this. It’s just resting, he was great at resting! Of course he knew how to relax, no problem.

“Kids! Dinner’s ready!” Sounded Camilla’s voice from down the hall.   “OH thank Titan!” Hunter couldn’t hide his relief, pressing the palms of his hands on his eyes. Gus snickered, which felt weird against his chest.

He hadn’t been napping after all, he could’ve talked to Gus this whole time! Or Vee, she’d been lounging across the room with headphones on, but he could’ve just waved her over.

Hunter gave his friend an embarrassed smile. The smaller witch climbed down, returning the precious feeling of freedom to him. As they walked towards the kitchen, Vee slapped him on the back with an delighted laugh.

——————

Hunter was laying on his side, the mattress underneath him was soft and thick. His body sunk in it, perfectly snug. Not to mention the extra comfort coming from the actual bed frame. No wonder Amity was so unhappy to relinquish it to him. Hunter would’ve loved to let her keep it though, it was only making it harder to stay awake.

The girl’s room was surprisingly bright at night, with no curtains in front of the window and the glowing stars on the bunkbed. It was a miracle they got any sleep at all. But evidently they did, he heard Willow’s familiar snores in sync with Amity’s quieter breathing behind him. In front of him he saw Luz and Vee, their upper bodies alternating in rising as they slept soundly. He couldn’t see Gus in the top bunk, but he was pretty sure his buddy was out for the count too.

It was Luz’s idea to have a ‘second sleepover’. After dinner, Camila pointed out that all their stuff was still in the basement. Hunter wished he’d remembered that sooner, it could’ve been a helpful chore. And maybe then he could’ve avoided this situation.

Hunter had rushed to pick everything up. His friends, still unhappy with his work ethic, followed him downstairs. But they kind of just hovered around, not seeming very motivated to clean their nest.

“Hey!” Luz perked up, hitting her fist on her palm like she had an idea. “Why don’t we have an actual sleepover tonight?”

Hunter stopped in his tracks as the rest all began excitedly agreeing.

“Let’s move everything upstairs, since our room is a spacier. I can teach you guys some human sleepover-traditions?” Luz continued to rally their friends behind her. Gus was immediately game, literally bouncing in place before turning to his buddy.

“What do ya say, Hunter?” He looked up at him with big, expecting, puppy eyes.

“…I can’t think of a single reason why not.” And boy, did he try. Hunter knew they wanted to keep an eye on him and he wasn’t going to deny them that, but he really didn’t want to be observed anymore. He gave his friends a tight-lipped smile of resignation, hopefully hiding his annoyance.

Camila, his last chance at a rescue, had agreed to it. But when Luz tried to convince her to let Amity, who was off to the side and red as a tomato, sleep in her bed to conserve space, her mom saw through her and refused. She also preferred that the boys had their own beds. Which is how Gus ended up in the bunkbed and Amity struggling for space next to Willow.

Luz was determined to make the second sleepover better than the first one, playing video games, painting nails, doing ‘truth or dare’. Vee had gotten some experience at the camp she went to, so she helped with the activities. The witches said it wasn’t very different from a moonlight conjuring after all.

Any other night, Hunter would’ve loved it too, to feel like a normal teen for once.

But he couldn’t pretend to be all happy and excited. It was hard to focus on those activities. So he actually felt relieved when they eventually went off to bed. That was, until he realised he had to do nothing for several hours.

Hunter moved to lay on his back, staring holes into the ceiling. He couldn’t go back to sleep. He just couldn’t. It didn’t matter how logical he tried to think it through. Or how rational he tried to assure himself.

He just couldn’t.

He was scared. He didn’t want anything like that to ever happen again. And yes, he knew it probably wouldn’t, but he couldn’t risk it!

He didn’t want to stand guard again. He had no idea what had gotten into him the night before. Just thinking about it made him sick to the stomach now.

And yes, he was tired, he was absolutely exhausted. His limbs felt dense and moved clumsily if at all, his head hurt and he was dizzy, but that barely mattered.

He didn’t even try to sleep, like he promised Flapjack. He was a lying lier who lies and who was doing everything in his power to stay awake.

He couldn't put them through that again. They were so scared.

“We couldn't find a pulse."

The words still echoed through his mind. Making him feel like he was teetering on the edge of a cliff. Watching the waves crash against the rocks down below with horrible vertigo. It was decided, he was never sleeping again.

Okay, even his exhausted mind could rationalise that that was impossible.

But…

But he had to.

He got fidgety, his heartbeat was racing all of a sudden and his hands felt sweaty. The soft covers became itchy and uncomfortable. He tossed and turned, but he got scared it would wake the others. His breathing hitched.

He couldn’t stay here!

His body reacted to his inner thoughts without him meaning to, instantly sitting upright. Hunter froze, slowly looking left and right to see if he disturbed anyone.

He held both hands against his chest. The stupid galderstone banging against his ribcage mocked him with its double standard. It pumped his blood, it kept him alive, but it didn’t make a pulse.

Because it was a stone, not a real heart. It wasn’t real.

Whatever! Focus Hunter! Copy or not, this body was his own. And he had to stop it from hyperventilating before he got too loud. He used Gus’s breathing technique and calmed down after some time.

From his new vantage point, he could see Luz’s desk where all the pasliman had curled up around the egg. Flapjack was snuggled in Ghost’s fluffy belly. If he snuck out, guaranteed none of them would notice.

As silent as a mouse, he slipped out of bed before he missed his chance.

Hunter tiptoed downstairs, grabbing a glass of water before flopping down on the couch with a long sigh. He thought it would be best to leave the lights off, the window let in some moonlight that gave the room an eerie, silver glow. He cursed his grimwalker existence under his breath between sips of heavenly cold water.

He was never ever telling anyone else he’s a grimwalker.

He wished he could erase the knowledge from Luz and Vee's minds as well. Hell, he wished he could erase it from his own!

On the other hand… If Vee didn't know, she probably wouldn't have gotten comfortable around him. Maybe she'd even still hate him. And without Luz's support he would've never been able to navigate all of his 'unique traits'. Without them knowing and helping, he never would've made it this far. In becoming comfortable that is, and growing into his own as an ordinary kid.

As ordinary as possible at least.

Actually, without Luz he wouldn't have made it at all. He owed her so much. It's funny how such an annoying little brat could turn into the most important person in his life.

Maybe not most important, Willow and Gus were pretty high up there. Maybe they just all shared the number 1 spot.

No wait, they were all a close second to Flapjack. That bird was definitely the most important presence in his life. But Vee, Willow and Gus were still very important, Amity as well. Hunter liked to pretend that she wasn't, but she really was. They both still joked about hating each other, much to Luz's dismay, but in reality they really clicked. They just really understood each other.

They deserved to know, didn't they?

Damn it!

They deserved to know, but he couldn't tell them. Because he was scared.

No…

That was him justifying everything, wasn't it?

He could tell them. He was perfectly capable of saying it. But he chose not to. In that moment, when they probably needed it the most, he chose not to say anything. Because he was selfish.

The only thing he was scared of, was his friends leaving him behind. Because in all fairness, they had every right to. He wasn’t just a grimwalker, he was a grimwalker whose blueprint was Belos’s witch-hunting brother!

If he were Willow, Amity or Gus, he wouldn’t trust him either.

His eyes burned as he felt tears form in the corners, he wiped them away aggressively. He wasn’t at risk of waking anyone up, so why was he still sitting there thinking? He could be reading a book or something.

“Hey.” He suddenly heard a voice and his head snapped towards the doorway.

“Luz!” He reflexively called out when he saw who it was. He rubbed a hand over his cheeks to get rid of any remaining wetness and cleared his throat as Luz came to sit next to him. “Um hey.”

She made herself comfortable on the couch, tucking her legs to the side. Hunter awkwardly waited for her to say anything as she looked at him with an exasperated expression.

“You should be asleep hermano.” She punched his shoulder weakly, a tired smile on her face. Her voice was a little vacant, but still determined.

"I can't sleep Luz."

"I'm pretty sure you could, you look exhausted."

"I can't."

"You can, but you won't." She pointed a finger at him, poking it into his arm. She was getting fired up now.

Hunter sighed, shooing her hand away. She was right and there was no use trying to deny it. Of course Luz of all people would see right through him.

"Can you blame me though?" He muttered despondent. Luz seemed to recoil slightly, becoming a lot less intense.

"No." She admitted.

She brushed some nonexistent crumbs from the couch cushions and he ran a hand through his hair.

“What’s that human saying about a pot and a kettle?” Hunter’s voice was forced, trying to be witty. “You should be asleep, you have school tomorrow.”

“Yeah, would if I could dude.” The brown-haired girl picked at the couch some more, throwing tiny balls of lint across the room.

“Ah, good old insomnia.” Hunter shot her an empathetic smile and she laughed.

“I dunno if I’m allowed to call it that.” Luz said and he shot her a puzzled look. “I thought you had have it for forever. Like, constantly.”

“No that’s chronic,” he explained. “You probably have acute insomnia.”

“Well I don’t think it’s cute at all.” She scowled before turning to him with a smirk.

He looked at her with a perfect blend of annoyance, disbelief and disappointment. But the corners of his mouth involuntary turned up and he couldn't hold a serious expression anymore.

Especially not when she was staring at him with that ridiculous, cat-like grin plastered on her face.

He begrudgingly rolled his eyes, his smile turning into quiet laughing. Which then turned into a bit of a giggle fit with Luz joining in, way too proud of herself.

"That's so stupid!" Hunter managed to say between laughter.

"You're stupid!" Luz pouted, scrunching her face to mock him, but quickly faltering to laugh again.

They giggled for a while, but seemed to realise at the same time it wasn’t really that funny. They died down awkwardly and stayed silent for another while. Hunter picked at his freshly-painted nails, it really would’ve been fun some other evening.

“Can we talk about it now?” Luz threw another piece of lint, this time there was a little aggression in her movement.

He remained silent.

“Hunter, these ‘grimwalker things’ are getting kinda scary.” She leaned forward to look at him, an impossible expression on her face. He looked away.

He knew! He knew that already, she really didn’t have to point it out.

“Maybe you should tell them.” Luz almost whispered, Hunter's eyes snapped back to her.

"Then are you gonna tell them you helped Belos?" He retaliated by reflex, his voice venomous and cold. It wasn't fair. It was mean and manipulative, and not even true! Whatever Luz did was so infinitesimal that it was almost insulting how much guilt she felt.

But it worked.

And when her encouraging smile dropped and her eyes filled with fear, shame took over every inch of his being.

“Luz,” He choked out. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.”  “Not it’s not!”

“Okay, it’s not.” She admitted. Hunter breathed in sharply and out shakily. He didn’t know whether he should be happy with her confirmation. Whatever feeling of relief he felt mixed uncomfortably with heartache, but her warm smile returned. “But I get it.”

“And I forgive you.” Luz added almost sarcastically. Placing a hand on his shoulder and staring at him wide-eyed. Her joking tone made him feel as though she didn’t realise how serious he was.

"Luz-" He started with a face that hopefully didn't look too much like a kicked puppy.

“You’re not ready," she interrupted him, her tone and expression very serious this time. "I understand.”

"Thanks." Hunter waved his white flag, ready to stop fighting about how horrible he was. He stared ahead for a few seconds, at their reflection in the black screen of the tv. "You're a very forgiving person."

"Well, I'm not ready either." She deflected, putting a hand on her heart. "Every time I think about how to tell them, I wanna cry. And run away."

Hunter laughed with his voice devoid of anything remotely close to humour. It was painfully funny how well she had described that feeling.

"But you can tell me anything." Luz scooched closer with another stupid grin and expecting eyes.

"Yeah," Hunter said bluntly. He knew he'd eventually open up to her, he always did. And he kind of owed her this time. But not to that face. He pushed her head to the side, earning a giggle as Luz fought against him to stay put. "Same goes for you."

“So... it was a grimwalker thing?” She was relentless. Hunter sighed, trying to look into the hallway, making sure there was nobody else.

“Stonesleeper lungs.”  “What?”  Hunter explained he had the lungs of a stonesleeper and told her about the creature’s unique ability. Unbeknownst to him, Luz slowly got twisted smile on her face.

Hunter’s eyes had been fixed on the hallway. He was hoping, praying and manifesting that nobody was eavesdropping. He did notice the suspicious silence. But his suspicions died when he felt a strange sensation behind his ear.

Whatever it was, it felt good. A tingling that grew in intensity, creating an amazing feeling. His surroundings faded and the room seemed to disappear. The sensation spread through his entire body, filling him with peace and tranquillity.

He felt like he was floating, the wonderful feeling pushing the shadows in his mind away. He closed his eyes. He felt like sleep would easily come to him, but not because he was exhausted, he was just… calm.

He was in a state of absolute euphoria.

Then he heard giggling. A mischievous kind of giggling that he had come to know all too well. Luz! He ripped himself away from the clutches of sleep and his eyes flew open. He hadn’t even realised he’d closed them.

He’s never turned his head so fast in his life. Luz had her hand behind his ear, pure glee plastered on her face. He ducked away and swatted at her arm.

“WhaT the fAwck?!” He yelled out, his voice cracking in a cringey way.

Luz erupted in laughter, quickly covering her mouth to not wake the others. Hunter was extremely embarrassed and offended, but mostly confused.

“What was that?!” He asked again desperately, but quieter this time. It was no use. His sister was busy dying from laughter.

Even after calming down a little she didn’t feel the need to elaborate. Just smiling widely at him, way too proud with herself.

“What in Titan’s name did you just do to me?!” Hunter whisper-yelled, rubbing the spot he’d felt the feeling. It clearly didn’t come of as threatening because Luz only smiled bigger.

She folded her legs underneath her and stood on her knees. Now towering over a very alarmed Hunter. Her cat-like grin didn’t escape him this time. He pointed his index finger like a warning.

“Nooo.”

“Yeeeeeeeess.”

She wiggled her fingers in front of her. Hunter backed away slowly, considering also standing on his knees on the couch. Then she attacked! Hunter dodged her touch and swatted at her arms again. He didn’t want to hurt her however, so it was a weak kind of defence.

She reached the spot and Hunter felt that divine feeling creep in again. It took all of his willpower to duck away. He grabbed Luz’s arms and laughter escaped her mouth again.

Hunter was not having it.

He folded his legs underneath him as well. Trying to regain a little bit of dignity, he pushed against her shoulders. She lost her balance and fell backwards, but landed softly on the couch. So she immediately lunged for the spot again, gripping the backrest for extra speed.

Hunter caught her hands. It wasn’t difficult, as Luz’s arms were weak from laughing so much. Before he knew it, he was joining in, laughs erupting out of him in bursts. They were now having a full on wrestling match.

Eventually, they got tired and called a truce. Along the way, they had forgotten to be quiet, but the rest of the house appeared to still be out cold. They flopped back on the couch. Their little match had taken them through the room. Luz gripped her stomach, apparently laughing too much could hurt. Hunter took some deep breaths and rubbed his face.

His hands unwittingly traveled to the spots behind his ears. How humiliating. The absolute audacity of this human! How dare she.

“No but seriously, what was that?” He deserved some clarification here.

“It’s a Stonesleeper secret: they have a ticklish spot behind their ears. When you scratch it, they calm down and fall asleep.” She once again looked way too proud of herself. Grinning from ear to ear. Hunter was just more confused.

“Wh- How… Why does that work on me?" He groaned with his hands pressed to his eyes. "And how do you even know about it?!”

“Lilith taught me!” Luz beamed. Suddenly her face fell, she looked like she saw a ghost.

“Are you okay?” He could guess what kind of realisation had hit her like that.

“Yeah! … No. No, I’m not.” She didn’t have to lie to him. He bottom lip trembled and she bit it, looking down at her hands. “I just miss them so much.”

Hunter didn’t really know what to say, or if there was even anything to say. She was staring blankly ahead, like she was somewhere else entirely. Tears were forming in the corners of her eyes.

Hunter’s heart fell into a thousand little pieces. He felt so useless beside her. He was still pretty bad at the whole comforting thing. The only thing he could think of was raising an unsure arm to his sister and placing his hand softly on her shoulder.

She was a little startled by the touch, suddenly back on earth. She looked at him with pain in her eyes, the corners glistening in the faint light coming from the window.

Hunter was already questioning his action, how could a weak shoulder-touch ever be enough? Then Luz lunged for him. She crashed into him, her head hitting Hunter's clavicle hard. The hug was awkward and honestly kind of painful, but he wouldn't trade it for the world.

“Uhm there there.” Hunter mechanically patted her back, not any less unsure in this situation. If only Flap were here to tell him what to say.

“Pfft- Wow you suck at this!” Luz lifted her head. The tears that she had held back were making two wet streaks down her cheeks. But she was smiling.

“I know.” He whispered and he saw her smile brighter. Hunter wanted to cheer her up, luckily he was he was getting pretty good at that part. He pushed her head against his chest again. “Shhh, I know I suck. Shhh, it’s okay. I know.”

He used an over the top baby voice and pat her head like Camila always did. Luz giggled and it sounded very genuine. Success!

“You really wanna make me feel better?” Her voice was muffled, but carried a certain tone. Hunter could feel a joke coming.

“I’ll do anything.” He said dramatically. Holding her in front of him by the shoulders.

She wiggled her fingers like a weirdo. Hunter shot her a displeased look, but was contemplating to let her do it. Luz wasn’t just suggesting a scratch behind the ear though.

“Then let me do it in front of the others too.”

“No.”

“Awww come on!” Luz whined loudly. He shushed her, but she ignored it. She quickly rubbed off her tear streaks with her sleeve, looked like she was over it. “You looked just like that Stonesleeper, it was hilarious!”

Hunter tried to fight the uneasy feeling of his stomach flipping. He didn’t want to be similar to those… urg! He hated everything he inherited from them.

"Wait- you've seen a Stonesleeper?!” Hunter’s brain suddenly caught up. “Up close?”

"Yeah!” Luz was excited, bouncing on the couch to get more comfortable. The fact she’d been crying a second ago didn’t make sense. Regardless, he was happy she was feeling better. “They're like the cutest dinosaurs ever!"

"What?" He reacted in pure disbelief.

"What?" Luz looked at him funny.

"Aren't they... vicious predators?" Hunter asked confused. He wasn't sure if he really wanted the answer to that question, maybe Luz was just joking. Maybe she hadn’t actually been close to it.

“No way!” Luz frowned and Hunter felt a weird feeling in his chest. “Well at first it was pretty scary, but when I scratched its neck it turned into a big softie! Me and Lilith even rode on its back, it was super cute after that.”

“Huh.” Hunter was stunned, recognising the feeling in his chest as relief. All those books were wrong.

“I’m sure they’re vicious to their actual prey though.” Luz tapped her chin thoughtfully. “The one we found was really hungry, pretty sure it saw me as food before we became besties.”

Hunter thought that was relatively fair, but the fact it had been so friendly to Luz and Lilith even though it was starving. This was absurd. So many of the books he read had misinformation in them. What a shocker honestly.

The first time he’d gone into Hexside’s library he had taken every single book that even so much as mentioned grimwalkers. He quickly learned that some of the stories, mostly from the fiction section, were bogus. They had inconsistencies that, although he was scared, even Hunter could spot.

But the non-fiction wasn’t like that. And he never thought that it could be the same for other ‘monsters’. Bestiaries were impartial, at least it seemed that way. Scratch that, they were supposed to be impartial!

If the books weren’t even real- If no one knew the actual truth- Everything in his life was a lie!

“Heh, a dangerous foe turned big softie.” Luz said, interrupting his spiral. She bumped her fist against his arm. “That’s exactly like you.”

“Ha… yeah.” Hunter trailed off, not really seeing the humour in it. Being compared to that beast still made him feel uncomfortable. Okay, calm down. Lilith must’ve gotten her knowledge from books too, they weren’t all bogus. He wished he could ask, he never really liked her but the way Luz talked about how she thrived outside of the coven… It suddenly hit him that she was mocking him. “Hey!”

“Admit it, you’re a softie hermano.” She laughed.

“Shut up.” He mumbled. Her calling him ‘brother’ right now was definitely planned, things like that is what made him a softie!

He wanted nothing more than to stop thinking about all the books that may or may not have been totally false. He needed a change of topic.

“How are things with Amity?” He asked as he also got into a more comfy position on the couch, he’d felt kind of frozen before.

“Good! Well, better.” Luz fumbled over her words. “I mean, we were good and we’re still good. It’s just that I feel like she doesn’t fully trust me, if that makes sense?”  Hunter raised an eyebrow and cocked his head, showing that it, in fact, didn’t make any sense. Luz groaned after trying and failing to explain it more, like she couldn’t decide what to say.

“She just wants to talk about how I feel all the time.” She eventually burst out.

“And that’s so horrible because…?” He waved his hands around, spurring her to continue. He was very confused what the issue here was.

“Well I can’t tell her the truth.” She sighed, then cut him off before he could even respond. “And whenever she wants to talk about the Boiling Ilses I just get really…” She wiggled and shook her hands around, having trouble finding a word again. “…flighty?”

“Alright,” Hunter said a little disturbed by the aggressive way she was moving and trying to process what she said. “Can��t you talk about your feelings without telling her everything?”

“I can try.” Luz shrugged.

“You two still going on that date?” Hunter asked before placing a proud hand over his heart. A smug smile pulling at his mouth as he gave a pointed look. “I gave you that genius idea for a reason.”

“Ha-ha.” Luz kicked his knee softly, it felt more like a playful push. “We were planning to go tomorrow after school, but I'm not sure if that's still a good idea."

"Luz.” Hunter turned fully, staring deep into her eyes. “If you let me ruin your date I will actually cry."

"Oh no- Hunter!" Luz couldn’t decide wether she should laugh or be genuinely upset about his threat.

"I'm serious! I'll do it!" He doubled down.

"Okay! We'll go!" She relented.

Hunter was joking, but if Luz had actually cancelled her date because of that ‘incident’, he probably would cry.

They sat in another long, awkward silence. But the longer they sat in it, the less awkward it felt. Hunter almost started feeling peaceful, sinking deeper in the couch, the silver moonlight still bathing the room in an almost spellbound glow.

“Go to sleep,” Luz said, “I’ll watch over you.”

Hunter watched the expression on her face for a few seconds. He longed for sleep. There were a million reason why he shouldn't, but somehow they didn't feel that heavy anymore.

“That’s my line.” He smiled as he felt himself giving in.

Luz didn’t respond, probably knowing there was no need. She pat the couch cushions as she stood up, getting a blanket and an extra pillow from the comfy chair. Hunter lay down with some reluctance when she unceremoniously dropped the pillow. After which she draped the blanket over him, tucking him in with self-satisfied smile.

He shut his eyes even more reluctant, but the calm that washed over him was so overwhelming. And his poor aching eyes finally had relieve.

He felt something brush against his ear. His eyes flew open again, giving Luz a warning look right away. It didn’t deter her stupid grin or her hand from his hair.

With one last sigh, he surrendered himself to the feeling of pure bliss.

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