#and tonight im going to force my loved ones to play cards against humanity with me 😙

[wastemanjohn]

today is my birthday and I've been spending it trying out new makeup looks, drinking PSLs, buying used books and rare CDs (the charity shops were GIVING) and mooching around town listening to lana del rey. it's been exactly what i needed and made me wonder why i don't take days to do my favourite things every now and then just for the hell of it. anyway. i am getting really fucking old fml 🥲

[angelbaugh-writes]

Game Night {Steve Rogers x Reader}

Request: could you uhm 😳😳 do dialogue prompt 10 with steve tysm ily

Warnings: maybe a few curse words, implications of sexy times

Author’s Note: I hope you guys like this! It ended up a little longer than anticipated. Please show it some love. Thank you so so much for reading. I love you all! Xox Angel Baugh

     Your life purpose was to fluster Steve Rogers until he broke. Flirting with Captain America started by accident, but it quickly became your favorite thing to do. Between the cheesy pick-up lines and suggestive comments, Steve’s face would turn bright red. What got to him most was the less-than-holy touches you started doing. It’s not that you did anything risque, the farthest you’ve gone was scoot past him in a very tight place, but he knew that your lingering touches had a deeper meaning behind them.

     But Steve Rogers still couldn’t get the hint that you were interested. It frustrated you to no end. You couldn’t just sit him down and tell him you were madly in love with him. How well would that go? Sure, the worst that could happen would be that Steve rejects you. You would know that it was time to get over him, but that would also end in humiliation. He would tell Bucky or Sam. Sam would spread the embarrassing let down to the whole team and then some. That man could not keep a secret to save his life. The only option was to not tell Steve until you were sure of his feelings. You just had to hope that you wouldn’t out yourself before that.

***

     The sun was just rising when you woke up. It was the start to a -hopefully mission free- weekend. Although there was no reason you should be waking up so early on a Saturday, it had become a habit to spend the quiet time talking with whoever else was awake. 

     ”Good morning, Sweet Cheeks,” you greeted Steve as you entered the kitchen. You made sure to say hello to Sam and Bucky as well.

     “Morning, Y/N. I poured you a cup of coffee just like you like it.” You smiled at the blond, thanking him before picking up the mug that sat next to his. 

     Sam feigned hurt, “Buck, why doesn’t Stevie make our coffee? When I asked him to he said no.”

     “Yeah, that’s a dick move. Maybe if we seduce ‘im like Y/N does, we’ll be able to convince him to do whatever we want!”

     You jumped up to sit on the counter next to where Steve was standing. You watched as the grown men in front of you dramatically told each other what they would make the man next to you do.

     “Do you think they’ll notice if we sneak off,” you whispered. He let out a small chuckle.

     “I think we could start kissing and they wouldn’t even look our way.”

     You smirked, “Want to try out that theory?” Steve shook his head, a small smile adorning his lips as he took a sip of his coffee. “Fine, then. You can make it up to me by being my partner at tonight’s game night.”

     “I was going to be your partner either way. Neither of these goons are helpful. Unlike them, we’re a force to be reckoned with.” He lifted his mug towards yours, offering a cheers. You obliged.

     A buzz from your phone pulled you from your conversation. Natasha had sent you a text requesting your company in the training room. You sighed.

     “I’m sorry, my love, but I must go. Until tonight?” you spoke dramatically. “I’ll think about you every moment until I see you again.”

    “Okay, Y/N. I’ll see you later,” Steve chuckled.

***

     You rummaged through your desk. You could not find the damn thing you were looking for. The game night was starting in ten minutes, and Tony hated it when anybody was late. There was no time for this. A gasp left your mouth as you finally felt the familiar thread. It took you three minutes to run to the living room. After tripping more times than you’d like to admit, you finally slid into the already crowded room. 

     “I’m here! Suck it, Tony!” you spoke excitedly. 

     “It took you long enough.” Shaking your head, you made your way to sit on the arm of the chair Steve was sitting in.

     Natasha rolled her eyes, “No need to get angry already. So what’s the game for the night?”

     “I am glad you asked.” Tony stood up as he spoke. “I came to the conclusion that Monopoly and Poker can only be so fun for some of us. So I took it upon myself to get a new card game for the team game nights.”

     “Get on with it already,” Sam interrupted.

     “I’m getting there. After scouring the web, I found a game perfect enough to get the old men more acquainted to today’s culture. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce Cards Against Humanity to the team.” Tony held up the box proudly. You shook your head at his dramatic antics. “Like usual game night, You can be in pairs or by yourself. I’m pretending that somebody other than Steve and Y/N is going to want to work together. The first to ten points wins. Let’s play ball!”

     You turned to Steve as the cards were dealt and everyone got situated, “I brought us good luck charms.” The friendship bracelets were black. A small, four-leaf clover charm was positioned in the middle of each. Steve couldn’t stop from smiling.

     “You are such a dork,” he spoke, allowing you to tie the bracelet on his wrist.

     “You love it. Besides, you’d be losing every game night if it wasn’t for me.”

     “I can’t say you’re wrong.”

     The game was full of laughter and disgusted faces from Steve, who would occasionally have to ask you what one of your cards meant. His face would turn a cherry red when you whispered the licentious answer in his ear, mumbling a timid ‘oh’ in response. Natasha was winning so far, with you and Steve close behind. 

     “I vote we take an intermission,” Bruce said, “I need a break for snacks.”

     “I second that. I’ve needed to pee since four rounds in,” Sam exclaimed before rushing out of the room.

     The room dispersed as everyone went their own ways for the time being. You stood up and stretched. Turning, you reached your hand out to Steve to help him out of the chair.

     “This game is...fun?” he laughed. Your heart fluttered at the sound.

     “I could think of a few other fun things we could do. We’d just have to go to my room to do it,” you flirted with ease. “I’m sure Sam would love to take our point for us while we sneak off.”

     “Oh, really? Care to elaborate?” So he was going to play along now?

     You leaned in closer to him, your lips barely grazing his ear, “I think you know exactly what I’m talking about, Captain. I’ve told you plenty of information tonight that we could work with.”

     “Which on do you plan to start with?” With that, your facade broke. Steve never flirted back like this. He smirked down at you, “Cat got your tongue, doll?”

     “Date me, coward,” you couldn’t stop the words spilling out of your mouth. “I’ve been flirting with you for months, and I don’t think you quite understand that I’m in love with you. Just fucking ask me out already before I implode. Please don’t talk to me like that if you don’t mean it.” 

     Now the secret’s out. Your face heats up as the realization dawns on you. 

    “Are you free tomorrow night, then?”

    “Pardon?” your brows furrowed in confusion.

     “I’d like to take you on a date. Is that okay, love?”

    You smiled, “That’s more than okay.”

     “Game time!” Tony yelled as he walked into the room.

     You frowned, “I never got a snack, though.”

     “You should’ve thought about that before you and Cap decided to smooch while everyone was out of the room.” You rolled your eyes at him, flipping him off in the process.

     Everyone returned to their spots quickly. You took your seat on the arm of the chair, but Steve pulled you down onto his lap. A gasp fell from your lips. His arm wrapped around your waist as you lean into him. Game night became a little bit better.

[starlightinhumanform]

Friday Night Lights

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Ships: Romantic Prinxiety, Platonic Sleepxiety 

Summary: Roman and Virgil play opposite positions on their rival high school football teams. It’s the Homecoming game and tensions are high. Neither are willing to lose but one must rise above the other…

Warnings (in order of strength): Some language throughout, Just Gays Being Dudes (That is to say, some mildly mildly risqué content)

Genre: Human (High School) AU, Rivals to Lovers, Eventual Fluff 

A/N: I impulsively wrote a bullet point fic (*btw the bullet fic does contain some spoilers so beware of that before you read it*) several months ago and meant to flush it out a lot sooner but I only got a thousand words in before life hit and I wasn’t able to continue. I’m hoping to get the second part done soon, but in the mean time I thought I might as well post this! :D Love you all 🖤✨ 

Chapter 2    Ao3 Link   Fic Masterpost    Fic Request Info

The locker room light was sterilely bright, fluorescent lightbulbs glaring loudly above Virgil’s head. Bodies rushed back and forth in front of him, occasionally bumping into his knees or ruffling his hair. A hand clapped his shoulder but between the padding on his shoulders and the distance of his mind, he hardly felt it.

He sat on the wooden bench, neck bent, eyes closed, and breathing deeply through his nose. He did this before every game. While his other teammates hyped each other up- yelling and pounding each other on the back- he would go somewhere far, far away. It was how he got centered before all the chaos, how he rose above the adrenaline pounding in his heart, how he won. But today was different. Today he had to win.

“Hey, sleeping beauty, you ready to smash this game?”

Virgil grinned as he opened his eyes and turned to look at his fullback, Remy, “Yeah, dude. We’re going to wipe that smug grin off Prince’s face once and for all.”

———————————————

Roman Prince sat in a tight huddle with the rest of his team, wearing a smug grin. This was the homecoming game, basically the most exciting three hours of Roman’s year. Besides, this was his senior year and his last chance to show the rival school where they belonged. (That is to say, in the dirt).

With one last shout, the team started jogging out of the locker room, jumping as than ran and yelling at each other occasionally like they couldn’t even remember how to talk. The energy was electric. Roman lived for moments like this. The only thing he loved more than the pre-game hype was the post-victory euphoria.

He grinned and ran out into the field. It was dusk, a dark blue sky fenced off by the bright flood lights ringing the stands. He was hit by the strange combination of smells that was only found on high school football fields- funnel cake and sweat and turf and axe body spray and face paint. He waved at the cheering stands and blew a kiss at the opposing bleachers who booed at his arrival. This was his world and that ridiculous West Shore High didn’t have shit on him.

———————————————-

Virgil glared across the field at the pompous tackler from Monarch Knights. He was currently blowing kisses over towards his team and it made Virgil want to punch him. The boy was just so full of himself. Unfortunately, he had some right to be. On defensive, he was like a wall- one that simply refused to be knocked down. When he played offense, he moved like a tractor through the other team, mowing them down like they were cards and he was a quickly approaching tornado.

Remy laughed next to him, “I don’t think staring at him is going to do anything.”

“Well, if you do your job, I won’t have to do anything to him,” Virgil shoved him lightly in the chest.

Remy pushed back and it sent Virgil stumbling back a few feet. Virgil was by far the smallest on the team but he didn’t really mind; his job was to be light and fast. Being the halfback meant he got the ball and ran like his life depended on it. All the brutes around him were supposed to keep the field clear enough for him to sprint all the way to the end zone.

Usually it worked out well. Remy would run ahead of Virgil, knocking any threats out of the way and Virgil would carry them all the way to victory. Usually. Sometimes they would come across teams with some on-steroids sort of defense. Sometimes Remy would get pushed to the side play after play and Virgil would spend every down trying to weave his way through an oncoming river. Sometimes Virgil would get trapped in front of an oncoming wall and could hardly run an inch the entire night. More specifically, sometimes they played against Roman Prince.

Monarch Knights was the only school they had lost to the entire season. But not tonight. Virgil refused to be made a fool of.

———————————————-

Roman could feel that stare from across the field. Hundreds of eyes were on him at the moment, but none were so venomous.

It was the little creep who played offense for West Shore. He was one of the strangest people Roman had ever had the displeasure of playing against. Virgil Tempeste was like a chihuahua- tiny, aggressive, and buzzing with energy. Standing next to him felt just as idiotically risky as standing three inches from a lightning rod in the middle of a thunderstorm. When Roman had been forced to shake his hand earlier in the season, he had been half convinced that Tempeste was going to bite him.

As difficult as it was to admit though, he was Roman’s biggest concern this game. The halfback was fast and he knew how to weave through even the best defense lineups. He moved across the field like an ice skater across a rink.

Roman tried to give the little weasel a wave, but he was too busy bickering with the boy next to him to see Roman. Is was oddly disappointing; Roman would have loved to see how mad he could make Tempeste before the game even began.

——————————————————- The pre-game niceties passed by Virgil in a blur. Someone sang the national anthem, a coin got tossed, and the Student Body Leaders said something over the speaker system but it just sounded like overly enthusiastic static.

All that mattered was that they had possession of the ball. That meant Virgil could start his sprint from the very start of the game. Virgil liked his position. He was important, he had purpose, it gave him an opportunity to use all of the anxious energy he had bouncing around inside. Most importantly, his position was the very back of the formation which meant he got to see everyone else’s asses.

He looked out across the field and over his team. Past Remy, their quarterback, and the long line of guards and receivers, the red uniforms of the Knights blazed an angry red. It was such an arrogant colour, bright and brash and filling all of Virgil’s senses. Every time they played against the Knights, those stupid uniforms bothered him a ridiculous amount. Maybe that’s why they wear them- like that thing the matadors do with the red capes.

Virgil shook his head. He needed to stay focused; the game was going to start in seconds at most and he was idiotically thinking about the opposing team’s colours. But if he craned his back he could just see Prince…

—————————————-

Roman glared at the brute in front of him. His mouth guard sat heavily against his teeth. The bitter taste of plastic couldn’t mask the coppery adrenaline that coated his tongue and flooded his brain.

This was his game. His to win, his to conquer, his to dominate. And none of those Concord-grape-looking fools were going to get in his way.

The beast in front of him growled and Roman rolled his eyes. He really thought he could intimidate Roman? Bitch, please. He looked like the type of guy who would hurl slurs at Roman for wearing eyeliner just because he was insecure in his own sexuality (and probably thought that Roman was just a little bit hot). That type stopped scaring him a long time ago. Besides, he could brush that guy off like a fly.

The real threat was several feet behind him. Roman had come to refer to Remy Ristretto and Virgil Tempeste as Team Rocket because they were just as annoying and undermining- except they were often more successful than the cartoon characters.

Roman stopped trying to see Virgil and made eye contact with the wall just a few feet ahead, giving him a wink. He might as well have fun with this. Anyways, he’d have plenty of time to bother Tempeste later in the game.

If you want to be added to my Sanders Sides fic taglist or my Friday Night Lights taglist, please just send me an ask or reply to this post :p (please specify which one you would like to be added to!) 

General Taglist: @phan-fander @abi-beehive @fandomfan315 @cas-is-a-hunter @reggieleigh07 @endless-rain-of-words @vicdehart @im-actually-ok @softnic�� Friday Night Lights Taglist: @lcrnbw @itsvirgilelliot @amazing-creepyfloof

[justapencilandsomeblood]

The First Bite

So, as promised here’s the first of probably many RPs between me and @ichaisme I’m enjoying writing with her, and it’s probably the closest I’ll get to ever actually writing out this story, so I hope you all enjoy~

It was a peculiar store, walls and shelves full of oddities and the occult.  Joey Drew felt right at home among the dusty trinkets and books claiming to be full of magic. He was thankful Henry knew of his more out there hobbies, and allowed him to indulge. Today, a particular book caught the man's attention, one about vampires. He smirked and rolled his eyes at the ridiculous notion of such things existing, but humored himself with a read anyways. Joey was so engrossed in fact, he didn't notice the man watching him until he heard him clear his throat. "O-oh! My apologies, we're you interested in the book im reading or-" His brow furrowed as he was handed a small card, the strange man whispering. "If you're truly interested in that topic, come to this address tonight, it'll be a night you'll never forget." And with that, the man walked away, leaving Joey to stare at the card in his palm. --- Joey sighed as he looked up at the large, decrepit house in front of him. Oh, Drew, what are you getting yourself into... He just had to be curious. He just had to know. You know what they say about curiosity and cats. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to grab the knocker on the door and giving a good few hits.  Guess it's time to wait, I feel so dumb... what if this is all an elaborate prank?

******** The door slowly opened to reveal the presumable owner of the building. Tall and thin, one could wonder how he held together in his frailty, and yet he exuded a confidence that almost completely covered any concern. The dark red velvet suit jacket, perfectly tailored to him, lined with black and dotted in dark brass buttons, helped cut an impressive figure. Gaze going further up, the pale face practically shone in the dim light. His eyes, a rich brown so bright they almost seemed red, looked him up and down. His emotions danced across his face in a well-rehearsed dance: recognition, understanding, and finally, warm hospitality. “Ah,” he began smoothly, leaning a bit into his cane; the picture of nonchalance. “You must be the guest Alistair invited. My name is Benjamin. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He offered a black gloved hand to shake, tilting his head politely down. The position made it more obvious that his gelled hair pulled back into two distinct points. “Do come in. Dinner is about to be served~” ******** Oh. Oh dear. Joey felt his face heat up as he took in the other man's appearance. He was pretty sure he was a monogamous man, but this stranger was suddenly making him have doubts. He cleared his throat, reaching out to take the hand that was offered, "Drew, Joey Drew," he stumbled, stepping inside. He wasn't sure if he wanted this man to recognize his name or not. Sure, he was proud of his and Henry's work on the Boris cartoons, but what would such a regal gentleman think of him for making silly children's shows? Although, his thoughts were cut off at the idea of food, "Oh, dinner sounds just lovely! I'm starving." ******** “Joey Drew?” He raised a brow, closing the door behind the man after he stepped inside. “The same Joey Drew of Boris cartoon fame?” A man like that, interested in the occult? How interesting. It did… complicate things just a little. Alistair would need to be more discrete about disposal, and other logistics would need to me be hammered out, but… he wouldn’t be the highest-profile victim he’d ever had. “Incredible, being in the presence of such a talent.” The mention of food again brought his sharper smile back, bowing with a flourish and directing him towards the dining room. “Coincidentally, so am I. Shall we dine?” ******** His cheeks reddened more at the recognition, but he didn't respond, instead gladly following towards the dining room. Although, upon reaching their destination, Joey couldn't help but pause. There was a table, just as extravagant as the rest of the house, but it wasn't set in the least, in fact it had a layer of dust, cobwebs clinging to the centerpiece. No one had eaten here in a long time. "Uhhh..." he ran a finger through the dust, his back turned to the men, "I hate to come across as rude, but I am a tad confused on dinner, is it just not here yet?" Just go along with this, Drew, they're obviously pulling your leg. Perhaps two men that are a bit too into role play? ******** Benjamin had to take a moment to compose himself after that. Most who stepped into his dining room realized immediately something horrible was about to happen. They'd try to beg. They'd try to run. All met the same end. But this man... reckless in his interests and completely oblivious to danger, kept up the game. Such naiveté... it was endearing in a way, like a puppy that didn't quite understand that its tail was attached to its body. It was almost a shame to kill him. But, a meal was a meal. A red glow to his eyes signalled the shift. Like a snake advancing on an unaware prey, he slunk up behind him, one hand creeping up to grip Joey's shoulder, tight but not painful. "Perhaps you have been led astray, sir," he murmured into his ear, voice lowering in octave. Another step closer, and Joey stood trapped between the table and Ben's body, solid despite the thinness. "You are the meal~" He relished the sensation a moment, before the grip on Joey's shoulder tightened, and the vampire sank his fangs into his neck. ******** He really was oblivious, convinced he knew the situation. He was going to turn to face the two, expecting some form of 'we got you!!' Instead, Joey found that he couldn't move. Some invisible force kept his body firmly planted in front of the table, his back to the strangers. Fuck. Okay, just breathe Drew. No need to panic. Then the hand was on his shoulder- he was trapped. He couldn't move. He couldn- Oh fuck that hurt- Joey's breathing was uneven, the sounds of swallowing in his ear. He could feel the tug, his blood being forcefully taken. Fuck... this is real... ******** Ben contented himself with drinking at first, but the longer he drained, the more he wondered-- maybe he should let him live. There was some amusement to be had in that. If he intended to though, he had to decide quick. The oddly cute but naive human, or a full meal... With a barely muttered curse he pulled away. That was what he got for still mingling at all with humans. He punctured his own wrist with his fangs, holding Joey firmly upright and in place as he waited for the blood to flow. Such an odd distinction between the living and the (un)dead. He technically still had a heartbeat, slow as it may be. Blood somehow still flowed through his veins, yet... thicker. Darker. More potent. For a vampire to drink another's blood would mean to go insane. For a human... well, it would let him survive how much he'd lost so far. Once there was enough dripping down his arm for a taste, he shoved the bloodied limb into Joey's mouth. ******** Joey Drew was going to die. He'd finally done something stupid enough, and was facing the consequences. Everything was cold, the freezing chill starting in his fingertips, spreading up his arms the more was drank. He wasn't even aware anymore. Everything had gone black, Joey lost in his own mind. But then there was a spark. A small taste like electricity. He felt himself coming back as he licked at whatever was in his mouth. It was amazing. Words couldn't describe how it tasted, how it felt. He wanted more. He reached up, grabbing the limb as it tried to pull away, digging his teeth in. ******** Ben winced a bit. Apparently, the taste was very compelling. That could cause an issue. He shifted his hand up to grip Joey’s hair tightly, forcibly pulling his head away from his wrist, “If you go too far you’ll turn yourself,” he warned with a hiss. “That’s more than enough for you to survive.” ******** A small whine came from Joey's throat as he fought against Ben's hold. This wasn't how the man ever behaved, but that taste. It wouldn't get out of his head. How bad he wanted it. Needed it. He struggled again, trying to lunge for another bite. ******** "Really?" Ben raised a brow, scoffing a bit. "Fine. You can't drain me, and I warned you. Suffer the consequences." He released his grip on the man's hair. ******** As if Joey even comprehended that warning. The second he was let go, he jumped. Joey dug his teeth back into Ben's arm, opening the wound that had already begun healing. He let out a moan, getting lost in the taste as blood filled his mouth. He never wanted to stop. It was sweeter than anything he'd ever tasted, filled him with a newfound energy. But soon- Soon Joey let go, pushing the limb away with a gag. It had turned rotten, burning his throat. He doubled over, gagging and coughing, his mind suddenly clear again. "W-what...?" Joey was trying to get his bearings, remembering where he was, remembering what had happened. It was only after a few minutes did Joey really consider what was going on. He looked up at Ben, his hand going to the dark bite mark on his neck, the wound already healed over. The more time passed, the more Joey noticed was off. There was a steady heartbeat, he tracked the sound, he could hear Alistair's heart. It was loud and clear despite the man being on the other side of the room. Joey panicked, falling backwards as he began hyperventalating. Ben was a demon. A monst- Joey had to protect himself. He dug into his pocket, intent on grabbing the small silver chain he kept there. With a hiss of pain, Joey instantly removed his hand, staring at the smoking skin, and now seeing the sharp black claws on his fingers. His crucifix had burned him. Tears were running down his face, whether from pain, fear, the crushing realization of what had happened... "What did you do?" ******** "Ruined a perfectly good meal," he sighed, glancing over the wound before tugging down his sleeve. "Now the turning you into a vampire part, that was mostly you. I intended to only give you enough to not kill you, but despite my warnings you continued to drink. So here you are." ******** "T-turning me...?" Joey felt his body go cold at those words, sure, it'd been obvious. But hearing the truth out loud like that slapped him in the face. His gaze fell from the other man- the other vampire- to instead stare at the floor. He wasn't human. Joey Drew was a monster. Damned. Cursed. The tears kept flowing, dripping down onto the floor as Joey sat in silence. ******** He sighed softly at the display. "Always a rough time for the newly turned. You will adjust," he said assuredly. "Tread lightly during this time. I'm happy to answer questions.." ******** Joey let out a defeated sigh, wiping his face and standing up. He felt numb. Dead. Because you are dead... "I..." his voice cracked as he tried to speak, his throat horribly dry, "do you have any water...?" ******** He shook his head, unable to keep slight amusement from his face. "Water will not quench your thirst. Not anymore." As he spoke, he slunk over to Alistair's side, placing a leading hand on his shoulder. "May I offer you as this fledgling's first taste, my love? You know I'll watch him very closely," he murmured, audible only to him as they stepped a bit closer to where Joey stood. ******** Alistair of course gave a diligent nod, he would do anything for Benjamin. Although, he did now have a light blush thanks to how soft the other was. Joey on the other hand, he was trembling, terrified once more of what he'd become. He didn't fully hear the conversation, but he could easily figure out what had been discussed. "N-no!" He took a step back, unfortunately bumping right into the table, "I can't...!" ******** "Of course you can. You live in an either or. Either you drink, or you die. Better have your first in a controlled environment, learn humanity's limits since I doubt you're willing to kill. Your other option is to go feral with hunger and likely hurt someone you care about. I suppose that's your choice." He wasn't about to coddle Joey, though he did feel he should insist at least once before letting him go. No one could accuse him of not trying then. ******** Go feral... and hurt someone...? Joey frowned, hating that the other vampire was right. This was his life now. He needed- Joey didn't want to think about that. Just drink some and move on with life. Ignore that you're a bloodthirsty monster. He nodded, turning to Alistair. The man gave a small smile, tucking his long black hair behind his ear and exposing his neck. With a nervous glance at the human's face, he leaned in and bit down. ******** True to his whispered promise, he stayed close by the entire time Joey fed, half possessive, half out of concern. First time biters had a tendency to go too far. And if he dared even try to take a drop more of what he should from Alis, he was going to separate them. ******** Alistair winced, it wasn't at all gentle and warm like when Ben fed from him on occasion. Of course it wouldn't be, Ben was experienced, this was Joey's first time. He glanced over at Benjamin, his brows furrowing in concern as he started feeling weak. How much was he going to take? Joey didn't want to admit it, but it did taste good. It came natural as well. Each swallow calming the dry scratch in his throat. Filling him with a wonderful full feeling he knew he'd crave forev- He let go with a hiss when he felt a small tug, only moving about an inch away from the bite to bare his fangs at whoever was daring to take his meal. "Mine." ******** The second Alistair glanced at him, he reached to pull Joey lightly away. Oh, but that hiss. That claim. He bristled with barely contained rage, throwing him back with superhuman strength.  "NO. MINE. Control yourself, or I will do that for you," he growled, hugging Alistair possessively to him. ******** When Joey hit, something had cracked from the impact. Him or the wall, he couldn't tell let alone care at this moment. His meal was being taken. He got up, ready to fight. ******** Ben scowled and held Alis a little tighter. “Fine. I warned you.” He glared, letting his rage funnel into his order, “RELAX. Take a seat while you’re at it. Calm down.” ******** Joey felt his whole body suddenly untense. He slumped back against the wall he'd hit, sliding down to the floor to sit. He stared at the other two, confused and a bit shaken at his body moving on his own. ******** “You’re wondering what just happened,” Ben commented, watching him. “We are... bonded, in a way. My blood turned you. If I order you to do something, anything at all, your body will obey without question, even if your mind objects. I don’t intend to abuse that power, but until you can control your urges, I will use it disciplinarily. For example, when you get too consumed by the taste of blood.” He scoffed a bit, then realized he was still hugging his partner to him. A bit of composure lost, he quickly separated, but couldn’t help but linger slightly with his hand on his cheek. “How are you feeling?” ******** Alistair smiled at the hand on his cheek, Ben was always such a comfort. He glanced over at Joey, the fledgling sitting with his head hung in silence, then looked back up at Ben, "I'll be alright, Sir, just a bit dizzy." He reached up to his neck, feeling the sticky mess that remained with a grimace. ******** His gaze traveled down to the blood on his neck. “Let me take care of that. And Joey, pay attention,” he ordered carefully. “This is arguably the most important part of the process, if you don’t want to kill someone. You need to seal the puncture wounds. If you don’t, they can bleed out.” With affection and tenderness, he brought his mouth to Alistair’s neck, cleaning the mess Joey left behind with his tongue, willing assurance and warmth into every action. He put particular attention to the puncture wounds themselves, allowing enough time for it to fully close. ******** Alistair couldn't help the shiver that went down his spine, nor his cheeks heating up. He loved getting attention like this from Ben. The taller man being so gentle and caring, considering what Alistair has seen him do to men, it reminded him just how precious he was to the vampire. Joey let out a small sigh of frustration as he watched, he was still under Benjamin's control, unable to speak or move. ******** He smiled a bit as he felt him shiver, lingering a bit longer close to him before finally pulling away. "There we go. Joey, you are free now. Blood loss is serious." ******** Joey remained silent, but stood. He didn't want to acknowledge what had happened. He didn't want to accept what he was. But... after a few more stretches of silence he spoke, "I," he took a deep breath, "I don't think I can do this on my own." He wanted to just leave. Leave and be done with this night. Yet he knew he'd need to feed again. ******** Ben nodded a bit, "Come to us. We can guide you through the process, and you will not have to kill anyone," he offered. ******** "T-thank you," he mumbled in response, I won't have to kill anyone. It'll be fine. Joey moved towards the door, trying to ignore the freezing numbness in his chest at the fear of just what he'd gotten himself into.

[inyournightmares97]

The Selfish Conscience (1/2)

Part 2

Bambam has always been reckless, impulsive and let his heart guide him instead of his brain. That was how he got involved with the mafia, that was how he rescued you from a human trafficking racket. Despite his vast criminal record and skewed sense of morality, he’s always been clear about one thing: 

Keeping the ones you love safe is more important than vague notions of justice or freedom.

Warnings: Strong language, dark,  mentions of human trafficking, being trapped and traumatic experiences. Not for the weak. 

Word Count: 6.4k

(This is part of a series (read: The Mafia Masterlist) and therefore you MUST at least read Yugyeom’s and Jaebum’s stories first to be able to understand what is going on here.) 

The club was dark, crowded and noisy, as it inevitably was on Saturday nights.

You weaved your way through groups of drunken patrons while carefully balancing a tray of drinks and snacks in your hands. It had taken multiple accidents and weeks of experience before you were able to navigate your way amongst clumsy and horny men without dropping anything. You were still traumatized from the time you’d knocked over an extremely expensive bottle of whisky. It was lucky that the club’s owner, Jackson Wang, didn’t care enough to take it out of your paycheck; he was simultaneously both a wonderful employer as well as a rather careless one.

“Your drinks, gentlemen,” you announced softly as you reached one of the private VIP rooms at the front end of the club. It was the special room; one that was permanently reserved for Jackson Wang and his guests. Jackson hadn’t arrived yet but he’d sent word ahead for his guests to be taken care of. The two men were well-dressed and carried a large briefcase with them. It was clearly a business deal. “One whisky and one rum with coke. Is there anything else I can assist you gentlemen with? Perhaps you would like some of our hostesses to keep you company?”

One of the men looked up at you. “No thank you, we prefer to be alone. Do you know when Mr. Wang will arrive?”

“He usually comes by at eleven pm, sir. If you would like, I can call and enquire for you.”

“That would be nice, thank you.”

“Please do not hesitate to press the buzzer in case you require anything else. I hope you enjoy your drinks,” you told them, before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind you. You let out a deep sigh and slumped against the wall for a moment. Dealing with Jackson’s high-profile guests always made you a little nervous. Even a small mess-up could have consequences for the entire gang in such delicate matters.

As you folded the tray under your arm, your phone buzzed in your pocket and you checked it quickly. It was a text from Bambam and you smiled to yourself as you opened it.

Bammie <3: You doing okay at the club, babe?? I miss you.

You smiled to yourself. It had been a few days since you’d seen Bambam. He had gone on a small trip with Yugyeom to stake out some stolen goods dealers a few towns away. Ever since Im Jaebum’s arrest and subsequent release on bail, the mafia leader had been trusting his younger members with more important responsibilities, sending them to places he couldn’t go himself because the law enforcement authorities were keeping a constant eye on him. You were proud that Bambam was climbing the ranks at GotSeven, but you hated whenever he had to leave. You typed a response quickly.

You: It’s a typical Saturday night, I guess. I miss you too. Aren’t you back yet?

Bammie <3: Yeah, just reached. I’m going to go meet Jackson-hyung and then we’ll come straight to the club. I’m dying to see you. The weekend alone with Yugyeom was torture. L

You: I’m sure it was. For him.

Bammie <3: Noooooo, don’t be mean to me when I haven’t seen you in five days!

You: Okay, okay. Tell Jackson his guests have arrived. I tried to keep them busy with strippers but they refused. They seem kind of impatient

Bammie <3: Ahh, those must be the guys from Macau. They’re smuggling foreign currency. Really dull stuff. I’ll tell Jackson. We’ll be there in an hour max.

You: Okay. Love you.

Bammie <3: Love you too!

You tucked your phone under your apron and went back to the bar. The other waitresses were busy and the bartender had his hands full as well. You stood silently in a corner, keeping an eye on the customers that were getting progressively drunk as the night wore on and the strippers who were up on stage. Candy was dancing at the moment. She was new, extremely popular, and all eyes were on her and her breasts. You sighed and turned to check on one of the tables when you suddenly noticed a woman standing behind you.

“Hi,” she greeted you lightly. “May I have a word with you?”

Your eyes widened in surprise. You’d never seen this woman before and she was dressed immaculately; in a white blouse, a formal grey pencil skirt and a pair of moderate heels. Something about the sight of her set off alarm bells in your mind. She didn’t look like she belonged in a strip club and that was enough to make you nervous.

“I’m sorry, who are you?” you asked.

She cleared her throat and looked uncomfortable. “I’d love to tell you but I was wondering if we could go somewhere more private to discuss it? Surely there’s some place in this club that isn’t filled with rowdy men or naked women.”

You bit your lip and took a deep breath. You still remembered the terrible incident from a few weeks ago. A pair of men had come to the club looking for Im Jaebum and you’d foolishly pointed them to the VIP room where Jaebum was having a meeting with some clients. You only found out a day or two later that those men had been police officers and that they’d arrested Jaebum on false charges of human trafficking later that night. Both Jackson and Bambam had reassured you that it was not your fault and that Jaebum would have been arrested eventually, but you refused to make such a foolish blunder again.

“I’m sorry, unless you can tell me exactly who you are and what you want, I’m going to have to ask you to leave…”

The woman looked a little irritated but she reached into her pocket and pulled out a business card that she offered to you. You squinted in the dim club lighting to read it. It had her name (one that sounded oddly familiar) and the address of some corporate law firm. She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m Im Jaebum’s lawyer. You can relax, I’m on your side. I assume you know all about how he was framed by BTS as part of a human trafficking scheme?”

Your throat felt dry. “You’re the one who got him out on bail? His ex-girlfriend?”

“Yes, that’s me. Do you need me to call Jaebum to verify my identity?”

“No, I believe you,” you replied, handing her business card back to her. You glanced around the club to make sure that nobody was watching both of you before lowering your voice. “If you’re looking for Jackson then he and Bambam will be here in an hour. None of the other members are scheduled to come by tonight-“

“I want to talk to you.”

“Me?”

The woman looked a little bit annoyed at your slowness and you straightened up slightly. Maybe it would be better to let her speak first. You tucked your tray under the bar and told one of the other waitresses that you were going on a break, before leading the woman towards the head of the club once more. You unlocked one of the spare VIP rooms and shut the door behind the both of you, blocking out the noise and distraction of the club. Only soft music played on the speakers above your head.

“These VIP rooms are safe, Jackson often conducts meetings here,” you explained. “What can I help you with?”

The woman sat down and crossed one leg over the other before she looked at you with sharp eyes. There was something eerily mature about her, yet she seemed like she carried a large weight on her mind. “Please sit down. I learned from Jaebum recently that you were a victim of BTS’ human trafficking ring. You’re one of a small group of girls who managed to escape their custody?”

Your heart sank at the memory. “I-I mean… yeah. We were rescued.”

“By Yugyeom and Bambam, the younger members of GotSeven,” she finished for you. You merely nodded as she continued. “Jaebum tells me that you’re in a romantic relationship with Bambam so I assume you know exactly what’s been happening these last few weeks. BTS tried to lay low on the whole trafficking ring for a year or two after you escaped. But they started up again recently and they’ve been leaving evidence everywhere. The police created a special task force to keep watch on them, which is why they attempted to frame Im Jaebum in a moment of panic.”

You bit your lip. “I heard.”

“Luckily, things haven’t been going too badly. The police arrested some of the top leaders of BTS earlier today.”

Your eyes widened. “What? Does everyone else know about this-“

“It’s extremely confidential information,” the woman told you firmly. “I only know because I’ve been regularly communicating with one of the officers on the organized crime task force. They’re going to be brought before a judge tomorrow and there’s no question of them getting out on bail. The evidence is far too strong. But BTS is rich and they’ll have the best defense lawyers on this case. We need a trump card, something that they won’t be expecting us to throw at them.”

You stared at her. “I don’t understand…”

“I thought it would be fairly obvious. I’m asking you to testify in court.”

Your heart skipped a beat at the thought. For the last few years you had been trying your hardest to forget the time that you spent in BTS’ custody. The experience had left you traumatized for life and you had scars that would never disappear. In those cold, damp basements trapped along with so many other girls, crying and screaming every time one of you would be dragged away never to return and not knowing what lie in wait for you, only able to imagine the worst…

You had never dared to think that you might escape and live a normal life like you were now, working as a waitress at a high-end strip club and living with your loving boyfriend. Bambam had fallen into your life like an angel and rescued you from a pathetic future. Even though it had been years since you’d escaped that vile place, the thought and mention of BTS still sent shivers down your spine. You had always been afraid that they would find you, that they would drag you back there.

“I- I can’t,” you told her.

The woman nodded calmly. She seemed to have been expecting such an answer. “I understand. I’m sure that having to talk about the time you spent as a hostage with BTS must be extremely difficult for you-“

“You have no idea,” you whispered furiously. Your hands were trembling. “I was there for months. They would take the girls away one by one and nobody ever knew where they took them or who was next. They would beat us if we were too loud and they only ever fed us enough to make sure we survived. They didn’t want us strong enough to escape or resist them. Even after Bambam rescued me I couldn’t sleep for months, I kept thinking that they would find me and take me back, that they would kill me or sell me, I-I…”

The woman sat and watched as you breathed heavily. You squeezed your eyes shut and took deep breaths to calm yourself down while she waited silently. You were almost relieved that she didn’t attempt to comfort you. After you had regained your composure, you looked up at her.

“It’s not just that I don’t want to talk about it,” you added. You felt a little weak for breaking down in front of this woman and you wanted to explain yourself. “I was a runaway. I ran away from home and that’s why BTS found it so easy to trap me. All of those girls were runaways, they were girls whom nobody was looking for. And BTS took away what little we had. So I don’t have anything to prove my identity or documentation, I’ve been living off the grid. It was too risky for me to apply for anything like that because BTS could find me using it. That’s why I’ve been working at Jackson’s club; no other place of employment would take me without so much as an identity card. What court would accept me as a witness?”

The woman looked at you for a long moment. “If you were willing to testify… the police would help you with that. Once BTS are convicted then the police would surely issue you a new identity. You wouldn’t have to live off the grid. You could work somewhere better than this shithole.”

You gave her a long look. “And if they’re not convicted?”

She was silent.

“That’s what I thought,” you replied with a scoff. “I’m done living in fear. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you. I’m only just starting to feel safe again and I won’t put that in jeopardy for anything.”

“If BTS aren’t convicted this time then none of us will be safe,” she told you quietly. She wasn’t looking at you anymore, her eyes had dropped to the floor. “Not me, not GotSeven, not the police officers who have been tracking them down. The point is to try as hard as we can to make sure that they do go to prison for a very long time. But if everyone is too scared to speak, because of what might happen to them if BTS go free, then that’s exactly what will happen.”

You didn’t know what to say to that. Her words made you feel extremely small.

“Right,” you whispered.

She stood up and smoothed down her skirt before pulling out the same business card that she’d handed you earlier. She took out a small pen from a pocket in her skirt and scribbled a number on the backside. Before you could speak, she handed it to you. “You can call me on my personal number on front if you change your mind and want to discuss this,” she explained. “Or, if you want to talk to somebody more trustworthy then you can call the number on the backside. It will take you to one of the police officers that is heading the organized crime task force. She’s been dedicated to taking BTS down for years. The choice is yours.”

You bit your lip and tucked the business card into your apron pocket. “Okay. Thank you.”

“Thank you for your time,” she replied as she walked out of the room. You stayed there for a few moments, hands trembling as you closed your eyes and thought about what you should do.

--

The basement smelled terrible.

You weren’t sure how long you had been in there. There was a small bathroom in the corner that all six of the girls shared and sometimes you were all sent soap so that you could clean yourselves. But what you wanted wasn’t soap or clean clothes or for a nice smell, you wanted answers. One of the guards had come down and taken another girl with them yesterday; you had cried and screamed and tried to stop them but they merely shoved you aside and took her anyway.

She hadn’t returned. They never did.

“I can hear footsteps,” one of the younger girls whispered. She crawled over to you and wrapped her arms around you tightly, burying her face in your shoulder. You were the oldest girl here, the only one who wasn’t crying for her parents. You were the only one that had tried to stand up to the guards. But no matter how much the girls looked up to you, there was nothing you could do for them or yourself. A sense of despair was setting in. There was nothing you could even use to kill yourself. They’d removed the mirror from the bathroom after a girl tried to slit her own throat last month.

“Shh,” you told her quietly. “It’ll be okay.”

“It won’t,” she sobbed. “What if they take me next? Where do they take the girls?”

“I don’t know,” you admitted.

“Do they take them somewhere worse?”

You bit your lip and closed your eyes. You didn’t know exactly where they took the girls but you were positive that it wasn’t anywhere better than this place. Maybe they were harvesting organs, maybe they were selling them into prostitution. But the girl who was sobbing into your shoulder was too young to understand those things and you weren’t about to tell her. You forced a smile despite your racing heartbeat. You could hear the footsteps too and now voices as well. Maybe it was the guards coming to give you food, but they might also take another one of the girls away. There was no way of telling and you squeezed onto the girl tightly. “Shh, don’t cry,” you whispered to her. “Let’s not attract their attention, don't cry. You’ll be fine.”

The voices grew louder and you finally heard the click of a key and the creaking of the door opening. Most of the girls hid in corners and cowered, but you looked straight up at the large figures that entered while talking loudly.

“-lot of locks on those doors, do you think this is where they keep the diamonds? I’m serious, Yugyeom, if we find those fucking diamonds then I don’t even know what…”

He trailed off. There were two boys standing in front of you, both of them looking no older than yourself despite being extremely tall. They were in school uniforms and you gaped at them as they looked around the room in complete silence. The smiles had dropped from their faces as they looked at the cowering girls in the dirty basement and you felt your own heartbeat thud. They were not the usual guards. But they had the keys, so they had to be with the people that had trapped you.

“What is this?” one of the boys whispered. “Who are you? Why are you locked in here?”

The other boy grabbed his arm. “Bambam, I don’t like this. I don’t like this at all-“

“Shut up, Yugyeom.” The boy turned to look at you and you flinched when he took a step closer. You were the only girl that was looking at him. The rest of them had curled up and hidden their faces in fear. You tried not to tremble as he walked up to you and the girl in your arms sobbed harder. “I want to find out what they’re doing here. Why are you girls locked up here?” he demanded.

“I-I don’t know,” you whispered.

The other boy grabbed his arm. “You’re scaring her. Bambam, we have to get out of here. Jungkook could be back any minute, you know he would freak out if he realizes I took his keys-“

Bambam whirled on his friend. “Do you think he KNOWS that they have girls down here?”

“I don’t know, Bambam. Let’s go, please, this wasn’t what we planned…”

There was a loud, thudding noise from above the basement and the two boys exchanged terrified looks as they ran back to the door. Just before they shut it behind them, however, the shorter boy turned and looked straight at you. You saw a pair of soft, kind dark eyes that seemed torn. But there was a promise in those eyes, a promise that he would return.

You didn’t know who these boys were but for the first time in weeks, you felt a glimmer of hope.

--

“Hey beautiful,” Bambam whispered into your ear.

You jumped, startled. It took you a few seconds to realize it was only your boyfriend and you whirled around to face him with a huge smile. Bambam was beaming too. His handsome, childlike grin looked even more attractive now that you hadn’t seen it in days. You let out a cheerful giggle and launched yourself at him suddenly, causing him to let out a small oof! before he wrapped his own arms around your waist. The two of you never held back when it came to hugs. It was a competition of who could squeeze the other tighter and currently, both of you were winning.

“Hi,” you breathed out against his neck. “I missed you so much, Bambam.”

He chuckled and pressed his face into your hair. “I missed you too, baby. How have you been?”

“Awful,” you whined, snuggling against him more tightly. “I worked multiple shifts every day that you were gone because the apartment was too lonely without you. Can’t you take me with you next time? I always get worried when you go out on trips alone with Yugyeom. You’re both such idiots that I dream about you going and getting yourselves killed.”

Bambam sounded amused. “Yes, thank you for your faith in me, darling.”

You pulled away from him and pouted. “Am I wrong?”

“Not at all,” he reassured you. You closed your eyes as Bambam leaned forward and pecked you on the lips. Bambam’s kisses in public were always sweet and innocent so you cherished them, because that was not how he kissed you when you were alone. His mind seemed to be travelling in a similar direction because he lingered near your lips and then kissed you again, softly. “Isn’t your shift over? Come on, let’s go back home.”

You placed a hand on his chest and glanced back at the bar. “I still have ten minutes left-“

“Please? Nobody will notice. Jackson went in to talk to those guys from Macau. I doubt something serious is going to take place in those ten minutes,” he insisted, entwining your hands together. His kissable lips were pouting as his thumb stroked the back of your hand. “Let’s just leave. My car is outside. We can swipe some wine from the bar and take it home-“

You placed your hand over his mouth with a soft giggle. “Bambam! We can’t keep stealing wine from Jackson’s club!” you scolded him in a whisper.

Bambam’s eyes twinkled as he bit your hand playfully and then smiled once you dropped it from his face. “What are you afraid of? He would never fire you, he likes both of us too much. And you’re probably the only employee here that doesn’t do it. I’ve seen the strippers making off with bottles of whisky and champagne-“

“But it’s still stealing-“

“It’s all stealing,” Bambam reminded you with a laugh. He found it adorable how you never seemed to mind that he went and conducted negotiations with high-profile criminals and smuggled various illegal goods in and out of the country, but somehow your moral compass wouldn’t let him swipe a bottle of wine from his friend’s club or a pack of cigarettes from the convenience store. “Babe, this club was built on stolen money, okay? Jackson set it up with his share of the loot that they got from a casino robbery back before you and I had anything to do with the gang. Now go and pick up that bottle of wine-which by the way, Jackson would probably just give us for free if we asked- so that we can go home and get into bed.”

You pouted at him and pushed him away lightly. “Fine.”

“That’s my baby girl.”

You went over to the bar and casually mentioned to the bartender that your shift was over and that you were leaving. He merely nodded, too busy serving a pair of customers that were demanding his attention. You made a slight show of depositing your nametag and notepad underneath the counter as you quickly closed your fist around the first bottle of wine you saw. You tucked it underneath your apron and then hurried back out, shooting Bambam a grin.

“Go, go, go,” you whispered to him, one hand holding the bottle steady under your apron while the other hand gripped Bambam’s. He chuckled and followed you, both half-racing out of the club and into the parking lot. You waited until you were both safely inside of Bambam’s car before you took the bottle of wine out and handed it to him, laughing.

“Nice choice,” he complimented, tossing the bottle into the backseat as he leaned over to kiss you. You kissed him back, breathless from the running. Bambam’s lips slanted over yours hungrily as his hands slid into your hair. You loved how Bambam always let loose the moment you were both alone, never holding back from showing you exactly what he wanted. You had to push him away gently and giggle.

“Come on, let’s make it home first?”

“Do we have to?” he whined, his lips trailing down your jaw.

“I am not having sex in the car, Bambam. Don’t tell me you made me swipe that wine for nothing.”

He smiled and finally released you, turning his key in the ignition and starting the car. You hurried to put on your seatbelt as Bambam peeled out of the parking lot. You reached behind you to untie your apron and pull it off. You were just balling it up in your hands when you heard the crinkling sound of paper. Heart suddenly sinking, your hand slid into the apron and fingers closed around the small business card the woman had given you earlier.

You glanced at Bambam. His eyes were fixed on the road, trying to get you both home as soon as possible as he swerved through traffic.

You slowly pulled the card out and tucked it into the pocket of your pants, before throwing the balled-up apron into the backseat.

Maybe you’d think about it when you had more time.

--

The boys returned two days later.

Another girl had been taken away in the meantime and there were only six of you left now. There was very little crying. The time for tears had disappeared and had been replaced by something worse; a sick, creeping feeling in your stomach that made you feel empty. There was no hope left. The constant fear of what would happen was exhausting and the little food they supplied not enough to keep any of you strong or healthy. You couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps death would be better than wherever they were taking the girls.

The door had creaked open and the two boys had stepped inside. You blinked up at them silently. Part of you had begun to wonder if perhaps you’d imagined them the whole time, if maybe weeks of being locked up here with little food was leading you to hallucinations. But they were here again, their faces more grim and serious than the last time. The taller one had turned green and looked as though he might throw up as he looked at you and the other girls.

Bambam kneeled next to you instantly. You seemed to be the oldest out of the girls and you were the only one who hadn’t buried her head into her knees in fear. You looked up at him, at those familiar, dark eyes that held both compassion and a sense of desperation. You hadn’t seen such kind eyes in a long time. It made you shudder.

“Hey. I need you to talk to me,” he whispered.

You nodded silently.

“I want some answers. How long have you girls been locked up here? Who are you? What are they planning to do with you?” Bambam demanded. He looked nervous and his friend stayed near the door, apparently keeping watch in case someone came by.  “Are you from around here? How old are you? Do you have homes to go back to?”

He shot the questions at you so quickly that your head began to spin. Your lower lip trembled as you looked at this boy in front of you. Could it be real? Could he possibly be trying to help you or was this some sort of trap? You lifted a trembling hand to indicate that he should shut up and he fell silent instantly.

“I-I don’t know what they plan to do with us,” you whispered, your voice hoarse. “They just come and take away a girl every few days. They don’t tell us where they go or why. Most of these girls are little children. Some have been kidnapped, some tricked into coming here but they’re all terrified.”

“Fuck,” Bambam cursed, staring at you.

“Who are you?” you asked. “Are you with them?”

“Not anymore.”

“Please help us,” you whispered. You reached out to grab his hand and he stayed still, not even flinching as you wrapped your fingers desperately around his own. He was warm and for the first time, you felt lighter in your heart. There was a dangerous spark of hope. “Please. I’m begging you. Please get help.”

Bambam’s face hardened as he looked down at you. He had never seen anyone so desperate to cling onto a small hope, had never had someone look at him as though he was the first ray of sunshine she’d ever seen. Bambam knew in that moment that he would help you get out or he would die trying.

. “I will,” he promised. “I’ll get you out of here. Tomorrow, same time. Be ready to run.”

--

You awoke to the sound of a phone ringing.

You opened your eyes drowsily and reached for your phone under your pillow, but it was not vibrating. Bambam was fast asleep beside you. He was lying naked on his back, breathing heavily in his deep slumber and letting out soft snores. One of his legs hung off the bed slightly. You reached over to pull it back onto the mattress. Bambam let out a soft grunting noise but his eyes never opened.

It was his phone that was ringing and you had to reach across him to grab it. You normally never answered Bambam’s phone and you only intended to turn it off but the caller ID read Yugyeom, so you picked it up sleepily. Yugyeom had better have a good reason for calling at 6 am.

“Hello, Yugyeom,” you answered sleepily.

Yugyeom’s voice sounded excited. “Hey. Isn’t Bambam around?”

“It’s 6 am, he’s in dreamland. We drank a little too much wine last night so I doubt he’ll be up soon,” you explained, although you could slowly feel the blurry cloud of sleep lifting off your mind. Yugyeom wouldn’t call at a time like this for absolutely no reason. “Is it something important? Should I wake him up?”

“I think you need to. Tell him to get dressed and come down to headquarters. Everyone’s meeting there in half an hour.”

You immediately turned to Bambam and began gently shaking him awake. He let out another grunt and tied to swat your hand away but you persisted as you spoke into the phone. “Don’t worry, I’ll send him down as soon as I can. Is everything okay, though? Should I tell him something?”

Yugyeom took a deep breath. “Yeah, I suppose you should know. The police have arrested the ringleaders of BTS.”

You froze. “Oh.”

“Just send him over quickly, please.”

--

Bambam took a while to wake up but once he did, he was completely alert. He rushed into the bathroom and you could hear him brushing his teeth furiously. You went into the kitchen, your heartbeat thudding as you made two cups of coffee. What did GotSeven plan to do about BTS’ arrest? Were they going to get involved or were they going to let it play out silently and hope that all went well? You couldn’t even begin to imagine the consequences that the arrest of a huge and powerful gang like BTS would have on the entire mafia.

“I made coffee,” you told Bambam as he emerged from the bedroom, struggling to button his shirt. You handed him the mug and gestured for him to drink while you took over the buttons on his shirt. Bambam gulped down the coffee gratefully. His hair was still a bit of a mess and you reached up to smooth it down just as he placed a soft kiss on your lips. He tasted like coffee and you closed your eyes as his arms wrapped around you.

“I’ll be back soon,” he promised. “Call me if you need anything.”

“Should I come too?” you asked nervously. Bambam didn’t mind taking you down to headquarters with him occasionally, as long as there wasn’t anything too dangerous going on. “Can I come?”

Bambam bristled. “Absolutely not.”

“But why-“

He took a deep breath and cupped your face gently with both his hands. You looked up into his dark, loving eyes and realized that he was worried. Bambam had never been able to hide his emotions well. This should have been a happy moment and Bambam should have been excited the way Yugyeom was, but all you could see in his eyes was fear. “Babe, I need you trust me. Just… lay low for a while until this whole thing with BTS’ arrest gets resolved, okay?”

“Lay low, what does that mean?” you wondered.

“I mean don’t talk to anyone. About the time you spent as a hostage with BTS, or anything you know about BTS at all. Not even the other GotSeven members. Don’t tell them anything about what you experienced.”

“Why not?” you whispered.

“Because right now things are tense. All everyone will care about is making sure that BTS gets convicted. That woman, Jaebum-hyung’s lawyer? She put her entire career on the line and she’s going to make sure that BTS goes to jail. So are the police officers heading the organized crime task force. They all have only one goal in mind and they’re just desperate to get people like you and me who know too much about BTS to talk.”

You placed your hands over Bambam’s. “Then maybe we should talk.”

“They’ll find someone. I don’t want you to go through that. I’m not letting them put you on a witness stand and force you to relive your experiences because they made an arrest without sufficient evidence. If any of the BTS members end up acquitted of their crimes…”

You bit your lip. “They’ll come for us.”

“Exactly.” Bambam leaned forward and kissed you again, his thumb stroking your cheek. “Jaebum-hyung saved us last time but now things are too big even for him to handle. Please don’t talk to anyone about anything, okay? I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Okay,” you whispered.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

--

You couldn’t remember the last time you had seen the stars.

The rooftop was small but there was a cool breeze and you felt free. The other girls were all asleep, cuddled up on the floor of Yugyeom’s brother’s apartment. There had been nowhere else for you all to go and Yugyeom had brought you back to his brother’s house. But the brother would be returning from a college trip in a few days and you couldn’t stay here forever.

To be perfectly honest, BTS was much more likely to find you before Yugyeom’s brother.

Bambam sat beside you silently. His arm was in a cast that you’d clumsily bandaged yourself, using a first aid kit that you found in the apartment. One of the guards had tried to interrupt the escape operation and both Bambam and Yugyeom had suffered blows in the fight before they could take him down and tie him up. It had all been a rush of adrenaline, an exciting run and a thrilling show of bravery. But now it was all over. Now you sat silently in the dead of the night and watched as Bambam wrapped his arms around his knees and tried to keep himself together.

“They’re going to find us,” he whispered quietly.

You knew that he was right. The other girls were happy in the thought that Bambam and Yugyeom were their saviors and that these handsome boys had rescued them from that terrible place. But Bambam had confessed to you that things were not so easy. BTS was an enormous mafia group, much bigger than you could ever have imagined. They would find you. If not now then in a few days, or even in a few weeks. They wouldn’t give up, not after the stunt you all had pulled.  

“They have men on the inside among the police but you should still give it a shot and go to the cops,” Bambam told you quietly. “Yugyeom and I can’t come with you. We’ve been dealing drugs for BTS for a few weeks now, we’ll surely get arrested if we go anywhere near a police station. But there’s no other way. I can’t keep you girls safe. I-I don’t even have a place where you could all live. I should have thought about things but I didn’t, I just wanted to get you out of there because you looked so miserable but I didn’t think about what I would do once I managed it…”

You reached over and placed your hand on Bambam’s shoulder gently. “Thank you,” you whispered.

He scoffed and looked down at his own hands. “For what? For all I know, they’ll catch us all and things will become twice as bad.”

“But you tried,” you whispered.

“A pathetic attempt, really,” Bambam mumbled. “They’re probably scouring the streets for us now. I can’t even imagine what would happen to any of us if we stepped into a public place and were spotted.”

You squeezed his hand and looked at him. There was something passionate and reckless about this boy who sat beside you, this mysterious boy who had a heart of gold. You could see the pain in his eyes. You could see that he wanted to do more for you, that he wanted to keep you safe and that it angered him how he couldn’t. You looked into those dark, passionate, kind eyes and smiled.

“I don’t care. I’m happy right now.”

“Are you really?” he whispered.

You nodded and leaned back with a smile, tilting your head up to the sky. “I got to see the stars again.”

Bambam looked at you for a long moment, before he finally chuckled and tilted his own head back with a sigh. He followed your gaze up to the star-filled sky. “It makes you feel rather small, doesn’t it?”

“It reminds me that there’s beauty in this world.”

“There is. Lots of it.”

You looked at the boy sitting beside you and wondered if he realized how beautiful he was.

[aidanchaser]

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: Everyone Lives AU

Table of Contents

Chapter Sixteen Through the Trapdoor

Dear Sirius,

Detention was exciting. We went into the Forbidden Forest. Met some centaurs.

I know I tell you lots of stuff and make you promise not to tell Mum and Dad, but can you keep this one a secret, too?

When we were in the Forbidden Forest, we were looking for a hurt unicorn. I finally found it, but it was already dead. And something was drinking its blood. Then it came for me. It was terrifying. A dark, hooded, cloaked-thing. A centaur named Firenze scared it off and saved me. But I keep having nightmares about it. And there’s this green flash. And a woman screaming. Sometimes it sounds like Mum. And my scar keeps hurting.

Promise you won’t tell them? They get weird about my scar. All quiet and distant, and I don’t want them to worry. It’s just nightmares like normal, right?

Love, Harry

—————————— ✶✶✶——————————

Dear Harry,

Congrats on surviving your first detention! You’ll make it alright.

I wouldn’t worry too much about your nightmares. Your exams are coming up, aren’t they? The Forbidden Forest can be a bit scary, and the extra stress of exams can make it worse.

You’re better off asking your Dad or Remus about what you saw. It sounds a bit like a Dementor, but those shouldn’t be in the Forbidden Forest. Might’ve been a Boggart.

I promise not to tell your parents about it, but you really shouldn’t feel like you can’t tell them. They’re your Mum and Dad, and no one but them loves you more. They only want what’s best for you, and sometimes they get a little worried about you. It’s because they love you.

I told Remus I was getting some stress headaches and he gave me a funny look, but recommended some teas. I tucked the recipes in. Maybe you can sneak some potions supplies out from under Snape’s nose, eh? And I also added on some hexes for that Malfoy kid. Nothing de-stresses for exams like hexing Slytherins who deserve it.

Best of luck!

Love, Sirius

—————————— ✶✶✶——————————

Dear Remus,

I had detention in the Forbidden Forest. We were looking for a hurt unicorn. We didn’t find it in time, though. But I did meet some centaurs. One of them was friendly. His name was Firenze. The other two didn’t seem to like me much. I think they knew about when I was a baby and You-Know-Who tried to kill me, Mum, and Dad. They didn’t seem very happy about the whole thing. Are all centaurs like that? They kept talking about Mars. But we don’t take Divination until third year, so I have no idea what it means.

What happens to you if you kill a unicorn? And are the centaurs any better at Divination than humans?

Love, Harry

—————————— ✶✶✶——————————

Dear Harry,

I’m sorry you had to see a dead unicorn. It’s a tragic thing. No one should have to see something like that.

But you’re very lucky to have met some centaurs! They don’t usually like talking with humans, but I understand Hagrid is on decent terms with them. I’m glad you met Firenze. He is a dear friend of mine who helped me through a difficult time at Hogwarts.

I wouldn’t take anything the other two said personally. Centaurs generally aren’t sociable, but I’ve heard they’re more cantankerous than usual. The Ministry’s been pushing through new laws and restricting what lands they’re allowed to live on. Dumbledore’s been very kind to let them roam the forests around Hogwarts. And if you’re worried that they’re supporters of You-Know-Who, rest easy. Centaurs stay out of the affairs of humans, and if it came down to it, You-Know-Who would exterminate them. He was never fond of half-breeds in his regime.

Good luck in your exams. I’ve included some recipes for relaxation and increased concentration. They’re not potions, just teas with magical properties. So it isn’t cheating, and you should be able to brew them yourself. I think Ms. Granger might like to try them as well.

Love, Remus Lupin

—————————— ✶✶✶——————————

Dear Mum and Dad

Exams are coming up. Hermione has made colour-coded notes for us and everything, so I think we’ll be okay.

Detention was fine. And I feel bad about losing the points for Gryffindor, but we were breaking rules for the right reasons, so I don’t feel bad about what we did. It was to protect Hagrid, and that’s okay.

But the Forbidden Forest is pretty terrifying. I was glad we had Hagrid. And we met some centaurs.

I’ll see you guys soon.

Love, Harry

—————————— ✶✶✶——————————

Dear Harry,

Best of luck in your exams. I included some scones for a midnight study snack. But the best thing for you is a good night’s sleep.

Your father seems to think you must’ve had a grand old time in the Forbidden Forest. I think he and Sirius and Uncle Remus did a lot of illegal adventuring in their day. I hope you weren’t too frightened.

I’ve never seen a centaur. They’re supposed to be lovely. You’ll have to tell us all about it when you come home.

We’ll see you soon!

Lots of love, Mum and Dad

—————————— ✶✶✶——————————

And somehow, they made it through exams. Voldemort never came pouncing out of any hidden doors, or ducked around dark corners. And no one fainted — though Neville nearly did in Potions.

Their last exam was History of Magic. Then they were free to relax beside the lake. At least, Harry and Ron were relaxing. Hermione was going over her notes, looking for the answers to all the exam questions.

“The 1637 Werewolf Code of Conduct wasn’t all that important, or Elfric the Eager.”

“The 1637 Werewolf Code of Conduct was revolutionary,” Harry said, “and it prevented hunters from coming after werewolves who abided by the rules. It allowed Werewolves to be treated like Beings and not Dark Beasts.”

“I know that,” Hermione snapped. “I just meant for the exam.”

“The exam is over. Why not just pay attention to the parts that matter?”

“Like the 1637 Werewolf Code of Conduct?” Ron laughed, and Harry’s ears burned, but he couldn’t explain to Ron why the Werewolf Code of Conduct was so important.

Harry sat up and rubbed his forehead. He saw Neville, Hannah Abbott, and Susan Bones coming down the path. He had barely spoken to Susan this year. He wondered briefly what her exams had been like, then pain shot through his scar.

Harry groaned and laid back down in the grass. “I wish I knew what it means! It happens sometimes, but not as often as this.”

“Maybe Madam Pomfrey will know what to do,” suggested Hermione.

“I’m not ill. Maybe it’s a warning. I think it means danger’s coming.”

But it was too hot to convince Ron and Hermione to do anything. They told him he was just stressed from the exams, and that there was no sense worrying with Dumbledore around. And that they at least were sure Snape didn’t know how to get past Fluffy, since he’d failed last Halloween. Quirrel hadn’t helped him; it was only Hagrid who knew about Fluffy, so there was nothing to worry about. Hagrid would never turn against Dumbledore.

Harry jumped up so suddenly, he startled his friends. “We’ve got to see Hagrid right now.” He walked so quickly towards Hagrid’s hut, his friends had to jog to catch up with him.

“Don’t you think it’s odd,” Harry explained, “that what Hagrid wants more than anything else is a dragon, and a stranger turns up who just happens to have an egg in his pocket? How many people wander around with dragon eggs if it’s against wizard law? Lucky they found Hagrid, don’t you think? Why didn’t I see it before?”

“What are you talking about?” Ron groaned as they approached Hagrid’s hut.

Hagrid was sitting outside, enjoying the sun, and smiled pleasantly at the trio. “Hullo. Exams all finished? Want ter stay fer tea?”

Ron started to accept, but Harry interrupted. “You know that night you won Norbert? What did the stranger you were playing cards with look like?”

Hagrid scratched at his beard. “Dunno. He wouldn’ take his cloak off. It’s not that unusual. Yeh get a lot o’ funny folk in the Hog’s Head — Mighta bin a dragon dealer, mightn’ he?”

“Did you talk to him about Hogwarts at all?”

“Mighta come up. Yeah… he asked me what I did, I told ‘im I look after the creatures here. I said I’d always wanted a dragon egg. He kept buyin’ me drinks…. I told ‘im after Fluffy, a dragon’d be easy.”

“And did he seem interested in Fluffy?”

“Well — yeah. How many three-headed dogs d’yeh meet, even at Hogwarts? So I told ‘im, Fluffy’s a piece of cake if yeh know how to calm him down. Jus’ play a bit o’ music and he’ll go straight off ter sleep —”

That was all Harry needed to hear. He ignored Hagrid shouting after him as he headed up to the castle. “We’ve got to go to Dumbledore. Snape has everything he needs to get into the dungeon and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

They started up towards the Headmaster’s office, but they were stopped at the stairs by Professor McGonagall.

“You wanted to see Professor Dumbledore?” she said with a frown. “Why?”

“Er — it’s a secret,” Harry explained weakly.

She raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips. “Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago. He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and left at once for London.”

“He’s gone? Now? But this is important!”

“Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard. He has many demands—“

“Professor McGonagall, it’s about the Philosopher's Stone —”

Professor McGonagall dropped all of her books to the floor in shock, and did not even stoop to pick them up. “How do you know —”

“Professor, I think Snape is going to steal the stone and I’ve got to tell Professor Dumbledore.” McGonagall’s shock gave way to suspicion. “I don’t know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it. It’s far too well protected.”

She refused to listen to any more of the stories and explanations, and the three were forced to retreat to their common room in defeat. Harry whispered to them that he was sure it would be tonight that Snape went to steal the stone.

“But without Dumbledore,” Hermione said, “There’s nothing we can do about it.”

“I can steal the stone first,” Harry said, green eyes determined.

“You can’t! You’ll be expelled!”

“You’re mad if you think you can do that, mate. There’s a whole pack of enchantments protecting the stone.”

“So what?” Harry shouted at them. “How do I make you guys understand?” He lowered his voice so the rest of the common room couldn’t hear. “If Snape gets the stone, Voldemort comes back. You’ve all heard what it was like when he tried to take over. There won’t be a Hogwarts left. He killed a lot of people and I won’t let it happen again. Not when I can do something about it.”

Harry thought maybe this was what Firenze meant when he said there was something horrible in his future. He was going to face Voldemort for the stone. Well, it was that or do nothing, and if his parents, Sirius, and Uncle Remus had taught him anything, it was that doing nothing was just as bad as going dark.

“Yes, you’re right,” Hermione said very quietly.

“I’ll take the Invisibility Cloak so I don’t get caught.”

“Is it big enough to cover all three of us?” Ron asked.

“You don’t have to come —”

“As if we’d let you go alone.”

“How do you think you’ll get to the Stone without us?” Hermione sniffed. “I’m going to go through my books for some useful spells.”

Harry’s chest swelled. He hadn’t thought they’d help him. It’d be dangerous, and maybe they didn’t understand, but it would be wonderful to have someone with him. Wonderful to have the two people outside his family that he trusted just as much.

[roman-reigns-princess]

Cat & Mouse (Roman Reigns): Chapter 4

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 5 Read it on Wattpad Writing Masterlist

Warnings: alcohol consumption, r*ndy *rt*n gets a little rapey, um i really cant think of anything else??

Word Count: 2156

A/N: I’m so sorry its been like 2 months since i updated, i went thru a writing slump lmfao. i think im back now tho, and there’ll be actual smut in the next chapter (im alr like half way thru w it). Also I know a lot of yall changed your usernames, I dont remember every new user name, I tried my best to change them but if im tagging your old account please let me know

Tag List (if anyone wants to be added, let me know): @m-a-t-91@mrsamberlopezgoodanoai@simulated-heat @greatbreadwizard @hoodgirl163 @sabrina-blyton @reignwithflair@sunflowers-and-swear-words @alexahood21@ii-love-roman-reigns @queenreignsempire @flawlessglamazon @not-that-kinda-gurl08 @fivefootxo  @finnbalorsdemonqueen @romanempressfics @rocketgirl2410@sausagefest1996 @vebner37@macfizzle @cute-face-chubby-waist @wwefoever70@horcruxhunter5972 @cool-snowball-22-blog @designrwriterchic @metaldeedsblobfish@inkedirishbbydoll-blog-blog @calwitch (sorry if i missed anyone)

Finally around 9pm, they headed out of the hotel to meet the men in a club a couple blocks away.

15 minutes later, Lyra and Naomi entered the club to find the guys occupying a secluded booth near the bar, and away from the dance floor. Even as they walked up to the table, Lyra could see Jimmy's eyes change colour as he drank in his mate's flawless figure.

Lyra was thankful that the club was mainly filled with humans, there were a couple of Alphas and Betas sitting at other tables, but most didn't seem to notice her. She made it a point to avoid them, and try and mask her scent with the humans.

On their way there, she'd managed to convince Naomi to keep quiet about her heat. She didn't need the guys treating her weird, or worse, making her go back. Naomi went to join the guys while Lyra went to order an Appletini for her friend, and a Vodka Sunset (A/N: these are really good tbh) for herself.

Lyra hopped up onto a barstool to wait for her drinks. It was a pretty busy night due to the fact that it was a Saturday, and wrestling fans going to the Rumble the next day were also out and about. Roman and his cousins had chosen a darker corner to hopefully minimize people interrupting their personal time.

Lyra glanced back at her friends and chuckled when she saw Jey looking bored and a little irritated as he tried to ignore his brother and Naomi who were basically grinding on each other, not giving a fuck about either of the other two men at the table.

Despite promising herself that she would not acknowledge Roman that night, Lyra found her gaze sliding over to him. He was already staring at her, an intense, hungry look in his eyes that had turned a bright silver-grey. A shiver of lust ran down her body, and she forced herself to turn away.

It was going to be a lot harder than she'd anticipated to ignore him. Not only could she barely keep her eyes off him, but his scent had hit her the moment she walked into the club. Her heightened senses constantly drew her attention to him even when she tried to focus them elsewhere.

She stiffened as she picked up on his footsteps through the clamor of people and music. She pretended not to notice him until she heard him clear his throat. She slowly turned the bar stool to face him.

"Oh hey, Roman," she blinked up at him, putting on a sickly sweet smile; he stood before her, arms crossed with a stern look on his face. She hated to admit it, but he made the simple jeans, shirt, and a leather jacket look mouth watering. "Can I help you?"

"You shouldn't be here," he said. She should've known he'd say something like that, of course he'd notice, she grumbled to herself. Rolling her eyes at him, she turned back, not wanting to deal with his shit at that moment, earning a snarl from him. "Don't fuckin turn away from me."

"Don't fuckin tell me what to do," she shot back, refusing to look at him. She let out a soft whimper, and her grip tightened on the bar in front of her as she felt his fingers sliding under her jacket and shirt to grip the right side of her waist; her cheeks flushed as he brushed her hair aside with his other hand, leaning in till his breath tickled her ear. His scent wrapped around her, calming her nerves down; he smelled like a delicious mix of hot chocolate and caramel, and she wanted nothing more than to drag him back to her room and let him play out his worst fantasies with her.

"Baby, you can't be here, you think us Alphas don't know what a shifter in heat smells like? That little jacket's doin shit to mask your scent," he spoke low enough that the noise around them would hide his words from any wolves or shifters nearby. Part of her knew that he was right, and that he was only saying these things because he cared, but she was too stubborn to agree with him.

"I'll be fine, I can handle myself," she mumbled, luckily Roman's reply was interrupted by the bartender bringing over her drinks. Roman let go of her as she grabbed the drinks. "Listen all I'm asking is that you leave me alone tonight, you clearly aren't interested, and I get it, but I deserve to have my fun."

She brushed past him without waiting for his reply; silently, he followed her, looking like she'd just punched him in the gut. Putting a smile on her face she slid in next to Naomi, handing her the Appletini. The older woman downed her drink then waited for Lyra to finish hers before dragging her out to the dance floor.

Several dances, and even more drinks, into the night, Lyra staggered over to their booth that was now empty. She had had a little too much to drink, and the room was starting to spin a little; groaning, she rested her head on the cooling surface of the table.

She'd given Jimmy all her cards both for safe keeping and to make sure that she wouldn't be able to drink anymore, but she'd cut herself off too late, and she knew she was going to have a splitting headache the next day.

The sound of someone sliding into the booth next to her had her head jerking up, she shook her head a little as the room was still swimming. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she saw Randy Orton, one of the other Alphas in the locker room, sitting next to her, his head tilted a little as he looked at her with a sneer.

"What's a pretty little shifter like you doing getting drunk during her heat?" He said in a soft, condescending tone, as his eyes swept over her, lingering a little too long on her chest.

"I-I dunno what you're talkin bout, I think I should go now," she mumbled, trying to inch away from him, pulling Naomi's jacket around herself, but his smirk only widened when he heard her words.

"Is that right?" He replied, his voice had a dangerous edge to it, and, unlike Roman, his scent set her nerves on edge as he leaned in. She tried to cringe away but she was pressed up against the end of the booth, and he blocked the only way out. A shiver of fear ran through her as she realized she was cornered by an Alpha that was both bigger and stronger than her. "Well you certainly smell like a shifter in heat, first day am I right? Why don't I take you back...make sure that no one gets to you, it's not safe for a little shifter like you out here."

"N-no I dontwanna-," he ignored her words, grabbing her wrist and pulling her out of the booth despite her slurred protests. She had no choice but to stumble after him, her hazy mind still trying to work out what to do as they exited the club. Before she could think her way out of the situation, a large hand grabbed her free wrist and jerked her back, making her yelp in pain.

"Let go of Lyra," came Roman's voice from behind her, she looked up to see him glaring at Randy.

"Oh yeah, why should I? What I do with this little shifter is none of your business," Randy retorted, his voice adopting a mocking tone. Lyra glanced between the two Alphas, this wouldn't end well if it got physical.

"Because I fuckin said so, she's mine, get your dirty little paws off her," Roman warned, Lyra's eyes snapped to him, the surprise at him calling her his was evident on her face.

"She doesn't seem to know that, I've seen they way the two of you act around each other, you send some very mixed signals, Roman, no wonder she's getting drunk on the first day of her heat if her Alpha can't satisfy her," a viscous smile carved across Randy's face as Roman snarled at him. He finally let of of Lyra, allowing her to curl into the safety of Roman's arms. "Or maybe that's what you were waiting for, so you could do whatever you want to her with minimal resistance, can't say I never thought of it."

A shiver of revulsion ran through her, making her cling to Roman's shirt. Randy turned away and walked back into the club before Roman could spit back a reply. He stood there for a moment, glaring after the retreating Alpha.

"C'mon, let's get you to bed, you're gonna have a shitty hangover in the morning," he said, turning her around and walking her in the direction of the hotel. He kept a hand on her waist to stabilize her so that she wouldn't trip over in her heels. "D'you got your keycard?"

"Left it with Jimmy," she replied, not in the mood to talk, keeping her eyes firmly on the ground to try and avoid any more stumbling.

"Ah fuck, okay you can have my bed, I'll take Jimmy's, I got no idea when or if he's coming back to the room," he said, more to himself than her. They walked the rest of the way in silence. Lyra was practically falling asleep against Roman by the time they reached the elevators. He had to half carry her to the room, then pushed her towards the bathroom. "You gotta get that makeup off, can't have you messin up the sheets. I think Naomi keeps some of her stuff with Jimmy's shit."

He left her leaning against the counter as he went to rummage through his cousin's things. She had to grab the edge to stop herself from falling over when he left her side, the alcohol mixed with the fatigued caused by her heat was not a fun combo. By the time he came back with a little makeup bag, and a black shirt in hand, she was falling asleep standing up. He gently shook her awake and handed her the stuff.

"I hope Naomi got some of that makeup remover stuff in there, and you can change into this shirt if you wanna, is up to you," he said, she mumbled her thanks and unzipped the little bag to find a small packet of makeup wipes as he walked out, leaving her alone to change.

Eager to get to sleep, she made quick work of the makeup, washing her face with some warm water to get rid of any residue. She pulled off her boots, shorts and tank top and left them in a pile on the floor of the bathroom along with Naomi's jacket. Finally, she pulled on Roman's shirt, the material soft and soothing against her skin, before making her way out of the bathroom.

She found Roman perched on the edge of what she assumed was his bed, and she headed straight for it.

He looked like he was about to say something to her, but her exhaustion prompted her to ignore him, and crawl under the covers with a groan. She heard him snort; in amusement or annoyance, she couldn't tell.

The bed shifted as Roman stood up and padded over to the bathroom to take a shower, leaving her tossing and turning on the bed as she tried to find a nice spot.

By the time Roman was done, coming out in nothing but a pair of shorts as usual, he found Lyra buried under the covers, face down in the pillows. He sighed to himself, walking up to her to turn her over.

"Babe, you had a lot to drink tonight, you shouldn't be sleeping face down or face up," he said, not even sure if she was awake as he rolled her onto her side, but before he could pull away she grabbed his arm and hugged it to her.

"Cuddles please, warm," her sleep riddled mind barely even registering what she was doing. Roman froze, torn between wanting to give in, and wanting to keep his distance as he'd managed to do so far. He tried one more time to dislodge his arm, but her grip held tight as she nuzzled her face against his palm; groaning to himself, he careful slid onto the bed until her back was pressed against his chest.

As he pulled the covers up around them, he halfheartedly promised himself that he'd sneak out once she was properly asleep.

He took a sharp breath as she wriggled around, trying to find the perfect position, which just happened to include her ass pressed against his dick. He wrapped his arms under her chest to keep her still against him burying his face in her hair. Taking a deep breath, he slowly drifted off to sleep.