#anyways guys I was in my last minute making the last edits after the drawing though

[lacrimasaintegabriel]

Merry Chysler (from Lys and Gaetan)

*proceeds to edit some photos and gives yall elves

[muffinpink02]

Bronze Is Better Than Gold Part 6

Ignore the Pictures I'll edit later

Warnings - gun violence, death, scenes of sexual assault, smut 18

“No fucking answer.�� Slims grumbled as he turned off Ona’s phone.

The brunette watched with her one good eye as the man paced the room.

“Why did no one answer? I thought you said this was the number to call for your boss.”

“It is. I told you it's too early. No one would be there now.” Ona mumbled.

Slims stalked towards Ona as if he was going to hit her. Her body instinctively stiffened, ready for the impact, but instead he slapped the desk next to her head, making her flinch.

The man got his own phone out, searching for something.

“How much are you going to ask for, Slims?” One of his workers asked.

Slims kept his eyes on his phone, not bothering to look up. “How much what?”

The two men looked at each other slightly confused.

“Money. How much money are you asking for? For the girl?”

“I’m not asking for money, I’m asking for my brother to be released.” 

Ona could tell from the confusion on their faces that they clearly hadn't been involved with this plan. 

“Are you joking? They won't let him out, he's in prison, Slims. He was sentenced… what a over a month ago? They aren't just going to let him out. I thought we were asking for money! Do you know how long we could go to prison? We might as well kill her and go.”

Before Ona could blink, Slims had a hold of his friend's throat, thrusting him against the wall.

“You pussying out now? You fucking scared?” 

“N-Na, Slims. I just don’t want to get caught.” 

Ona watched as Slims eyed the man, he looked ready to kill him. Ona was convinced he would. 

He let go of the man's throat after he started to turn a dark shade of blue. “We wont get fucking caught. They release him and we go. It's easy.” 

“And what about her? She's seen our faces.” The other goon nodded towards Ona.

Slims turned his attention away from the man who was now holding his red throat, to Ona. 

“We kill her.” He shrugged. 

“But what about your brother?”

“I've got guys that will wait for him. They won't be far from the prison. Once they let him go and he's with my men, she dies.”

Even though the men looked like they did not share a single brain cell between them, even they could tell that this plan wasn't going to work.

Ona felt her chest tighten, how was this happening? She wondered if her team had any idea where she was, if they had a plan, or if she was going to be killed in this abandoned warehouse. 

The blue lights flashed on top of Lucy's undercover car as she left the last London road, making her way into the green countryside. She followed the map on her phone, she wasn't far now, another 15 minutes and she would be there. As she got closer she turned the blue lights off, not wanting to draw any attention to herself. 

Her eyes glanced over to her phone sitting on the passenger seat, she could see Sarinas name lighting up the screen, she ignored it and pushed her foot on the accelerator. 

“Sorry, boss.”

Lucy knew if she came out of this alive, Sarina would probably kill her.

After what felt like hours, Lucy finally arrived at the destination. She parked her car down the woody lane, not wanting it to be spotted. She could feel her heart in her chest, she had no clue what she was going into, but she didn't care, all she knew was that she was going to get Ona out. 

Instead of the main road the brunette creeped through the shielded forest, the smell of the rain and wet mud flooded her senses. It was oddly peaceful, considering the business of her being there. She followed her phone, making sure she was going in the right direction. A couple minutes later she spotted the abandoned warehouse through the overgrown bushes. She got as close as she could without being spotted. 

She looked around the building but couldn't see anyone, but she did spot a black van, the one LJ must have spotted on the cameras.

Lucy assessed the building, her eyes scanned for anyway in without being caught. She saw a few doors and windows but she needed to make sure she wasn't caught. She instinctively ducked when she heard a heavy door being pushed open. She watched as two men left the building, both pulling a cigarette out and lighting up the white stick.

“I can’t believe we’ve been pulled into this shit. I thought we were getting money for taking her, not his fucking brother!”

Lucy was close enough to make out what they were saying.

The second man shook his head. “I know. I know. That's the reason why only we showed up, no one clearly wanted to be involved in this shit. He probably doesn't even have men who would wait for his brother.”

Bingo. That was one thing Lucy at least now knew. There wasn't a warehouse full of men with guns.

“If we get caught, we’re fucked you know that? Will be straight in prison along side his fucking brother.” The man scoffed angrily, letting out a puff of smoke. 

“I’m pissed that he didnt let us fuck her.”

Lucy’s stomach dropped, her teeth instantly grinding against each other in anger. The rage that crept up her body was almost scary even for herself, she hadn't realised her hand had already gripped her gun, wanting to put a bullet through the man's neck.

“I know. Her face is fucked though, don’t even know if I could get hard.” The man laughed.

That's when Lucy gripped her gun, but she knew better than to use it.

The other man laughed. “Na, it doesn't faze me. Even if she’s black and blue, I don’t mind.” He cackled loudly at his own joke, before spitting a mouthful of phlegm on the floor.

The other man shook his head. “You’re a wronging.” He chuckled as he flicked his finished cigarette.

“Don’t fucking lie, you would. I’m going to do it before he realises the plans stupid and kills the bitch.”

“I think he's gone mad.” The man turned to go back into the building. “You coming?”

“I need to piss.” 

The younger guy nodded and made his way inside, leaving the pig looking man alone. The man that Lucy now wanted to skin alive. 

He walked closer to the bushes, just a couple of metres from the brunette, she spotted the man's gun on his hip. She sized up the pig eyed prick, she knew she could take him on, but she needed to make the first move. 

She watched as he carelessly urinated into the bush, whistling to himself, his back to her. This was her chance. She ever so slowly creeped out of the dense forest. It was almost like watching a nature documentary, like a lioness stalking its unexpected prey. Ready to kill.

Click

Lucy pressed the barrel of her gun to the back of the man’s head. 

“If you even utter a word without my say so or try to move an inch, the last thing you'll ever see is your tiny ugly prick.”

He didn't move.

“Nod slowly if you understand.” 

He barely moved his head. Lucy wasn't sure if it was out of fear or anger, so she pressed her gun harder. 

“How many people are in there?”

“J-Just 3.”

“Including the girl?” 

“4.” He corrected himself.

“Guns?”

He nodded. 

“Is there a way I can get in?”

“There's a back door. It's to the left of the building.”

Lucy laughed internally at how easy he was giving over the information, she hoped he would be known to others as a snitch once he gets put in prison.

“I-I didn't do nothing, I told Slims to give the girl back. I swear.” 

Lucy had to stop herself from killing this slime of a man. She wanted so badly to pull her trigger, but she also didn’t want such an easy way out for him.

With a flash she hit the man hard on the back of the head. Knocking him straight out. She knew where and how hard to hit him without killing him. She quickly dragged his body into the forest and cuffed him by his wrist to a tree.

The brunette made her way around the back of the building, she spotted the door that the pig face mentioned. She turned the knob slowly, it was unlocked. She gently pushed the door open, revealing a storage room. it was dark and hard to see, only small bits of light came through the blacked out painted windows. She crept inside, closing the door behind her. 

She slinked down the dark corridor, her gun in hand. Her heart in her mouth.

She came to another closed door, she stopped to listen for any noise, but heard nothing. She looked through the keyhole, it was another hallway that was even darker then this one. Again, she slowly turned the handle, as she pushed the metal door. 

‘Ehhhhh’

She flinched from the jarring creak the hinges let out. She froze in her tracks, holding her breath. She waited a few heartbeats before she squeezed through the rest of the door, not opening it fully. 

She was plunged into darkness, she found her torch and gave herself a slither of light as she moved further inside. 

Before she moved any further she heard a scratching noise. She tried to look around for the cause but couldn't find anything. 

“Fuck!”

She jumped as a flurry of feathers squawked in her face. 

Lucy had been one of the best in her training. When herself and Sophie joined the police force they would always try to outdo each other, if one was faster, the other was stronger. If one had better aim with a gun the other was more skilled at fighting. They constantly pushed each other and it made them a fierce team. Even to this day Lucy was one of the most skilled agents on the team. She could even give Jill and run for her money in a firing range. 

But she had never jumped so high in the air from a pigeon before. She watched as the stupid bird flew out of a broken window. Her heart was thumping. She breathed in a few deep breaths, trying to get her nerves to calm down. She closed her eyes and pictured Ona’s face. She moved on.

The brunette came to a door at the end of the hallway, once again she tried to listen for any signs of noise but she couldn't hear anything. Ever so slowly she opened the door, light cracked through the slit, she had her gun ready in her hands. She held her breath as she opened it further. She was now in the storage room, there were tall shelving units with cardboard boxes littering each side of the room.

She made a quick dash to duck behind the shelves. She took a glance around, she saw some stairs leading up to a second floor. She had a feeling Ona was somewhere up there. She crawled behind the cardboard box jungle. She got closer to the metal stairs, she was ready to make her way up when a door swung open. She quickly ducked, hiding behind the dusty boxers. 

“Where the fuck is he?” 

Lucy recognised the now familiar voice.

“I don’t know. We were smoking, then he said he was going to take a piss and I went inside.”

The metal stairs began to rattle as the men walked above her.

“Go look for him. I swear if he's run off I'm going to kill him.”

“Okay.” 

Lucy hid further as the stairs shook violently. She watched as the man walked towards the front door, looking for his associate. 

“Fucking useless, fucks!” Slims gripped the metal railing before going back into a room. 

Lucy knew she needed to be quick, if Slims' henchmen came back she'd be outnumbered. She started to make her way up the stairs, making sure her steps were quick and delicate. She made it to the top of the railing, there was a row of doors to the right, but she didn't see what one he entered.

She carefully walked, she had her gun ready, her finger was kissing the trigger. She reached the first door, it was open, but empty. She walked further on, her steps slow, her body was vibrating with adrenaline. 

“Yeah, that's right, if he’s not freed then she dies.” Slim's voice boomed out from the third door. Lucy got closer, she paused when she heard Sarinas voice on speaker from a phone.

“We can’t do that. We can offer you money. We don’t want to see anyone hurt, Frank. If you release her, we can figure this out. Can we at least hear from Ona? We need to know she's okay.” Sarina spoke over the speaker.

Lucy was now standing outside the door to the left.

“Speak.” Slims grunted.

“Sarina?”

Lucy nearly broke down when she heard Ona’s voice. But it hardly sounded like her, she sounded broken, she sounded so small.

“Ona, are you hurt?”

There was a pause.

“Ona?” Sarina called out, Lucy could hear the worry in her voice.

“She's fine!” Slims barked.

Lucy heard the man pacing about the room.

“Are you going to let my brother out? Yes or No?”

“Frank, we can’t-” 

The line was cut. 

Slims turnt to Ona. “Thanks to your boss you're going to be killed.”

“Please, killing me won't get him back. Please, just let me go.”

Just as Lucy was about to rush in she heard the steps of Slims henchman approaching, she ducked into the first empty room. The metal stairs rattled as he climbed the stairs and entered the room.

“No sign of him. Maybe he did run off.”

“Fucking coward. Fuck him. We got to go, burn this place down.”

“Why?”

“They won't release him. I wouldn't be surprised if he fucking snitched about where we are. There's barrells down stairs, pour it everywhere. We light it up and we go.”

“What about her?” The man motioned towards Ona.

“She can burn with it.”

Ona eyes widened. “No, please. Please.” Her voice broke as she begged.

Both men ignored her.

“Can I at least have fun with her first?”

“Do what you want, just be quick. Once you're done, help me with the petrol.”

Ona’s brain started to fog, her brain and body was screaming to shut down.

“I will.” The man promised.

Slims left the room. Lucy had heard everything. She watched as Slims made his way down the stairs and towards the front door. 

She left the room, she heard Ona start to scream. Her blood ran cold as she heard her cry. She stood at the entrance of the door. Ona’s small body was being pushed to a desk by a man 3 times her size. 

“Come on, baby. Don’t make it difficult. It will be over quickly.” The man laughed.

“Move the fuck away from her.”

Ona’s eyes opened as she heard Lucy's voice. It couldn't be? Her brain must have been playing tricks on her. She didn't know whether to scream or cry. She never thought she’d live to hear that voice again. 

The man turned around confused. As soon as he spotted Lucy and her gun he put his hands up in surrender, moving away from Ona.

“Get on the fucking floor, hands behind your back.”

The man did what she said and laid on the ground. Lucy kept her gun on him as she stepped closer to Ona. 

“Ona? Hey, it's me.”

The shorter brunette flinched as she felt Lucy's hand touch her back.

“Hey, don't be scared. It’s me. It’s Lucy.”

Ona slowly got up, her arms were dead from being tied up for so long. She used all the strength she could to turn. She nearly lost all balance when she saw Lucy. And she did fall as she moved, but Lucy was quick to catch her. 

“L-Lucy!” 

When Lucy saw Ona’s face her stomach dropped. Her left eye was swollen shut, her whole socket was black, the little bit of eye she did see was covered with blood. Her face was scattered with bruises and cuts, her chin was raw with old blood, she could hardly look at her without wanting to kill.

Ona’s body shook in her arms, she buried her face into her chest, Lucy wanted to scoop her up and tell her it was all going to be okay. But they had to get out first.

“L-Lucy.” Ona choked out.

“Shh it's okay, Ona. You’re okay.”

Lucy felt a piece of her break, seeing Ona like this was tearing her apart, but she had to keep her head straight. She gently grabbed Ona by the arms, she scanned her weak body for any obvious damage.

“I’m going to handcuff him okay.” She lowered her face to the younger brunette.

She nodded.

Lucy dropped her knee hard into the man's back, making him cry out. She didn't care if she would have broken a bone, causing him to never walk again, he was lucky her gun hadn't put bullets in the back of his throat.

“Stand up.”

Lucy yanked the back of the man's shirt. He clumsily stood, the older brunette kept her distance from him. Her gun pointed straight at his head. 

“Move.” She pushed the man forward.

She turned to face Ona. She pulled out another gun from her side.

“He’s still out there. Use it if you need to. Stay behind me, okay.”

Ona nodded, but she was clearly scared.

‘’Hey, you can do this.” Lucy gently stroked her cheek, mindful of the bruises. 

“Move.” Lucy pushed the man forward. 

“Okay, come, let's go.” She smiled softly at the girl, reaching her free hand out for her to take.

Her small hand weakly took Lucys, they gave each other a smile that would stay in their heads forever. 

They walked down the metal steps, with the man in front of them. Lucy had her gun pointing at him. 

The room stunk of petrol. Slims had clearly already done the inside of the building. 

Ona had never been more scared and more relieved as she watched the brunette in front of her. Lucy had saved her. Lucy had single handedly saved her. She saved her from being killed. 

They were half way from the door when it opened. 

A gun went off. 

Lucy and Ona flinched. The sound of the gun firing ricocheted through the hollow building. Neither girl was sure if it was one bullet or more. The man in front came to a halt. Then to his knees. 

That's when Lucy saw Slims running from the door and disappearing into the tall jungle of units. Reloading his gun. 

“Move!” Lucy grabbed Ona by the hand, mirrorwing Slims, hiding behind the tall metal beams and crates. Ona looked at the man laying on the floor, his blood turning his clothes black. 

“Is anyone with you? Do we have backup?” Ona whispered.

Lucy could have laughed, this is clearly what Sarina was talking about. She was too much of a hot head, and now here she was, saving the love of her life from a crazy wannabe drug lord in the middle of nowhere and had no backup. 

“No. No backup.” 

Ona rolled her one good eye.

“Are you really giving me attitude right now?” Lucy couldn't help but smirk. Even if there was a killer on the loose.

“I mean, I would have thought you'd bring back up.” Ona examined the surroundings. 

It was Lucy's time to roll her eyes. “No, sorry. I didn't really have the time.”

“Fire.”

“I mean yeah. I probably will get fired, but I don’t care.”

“No, Lucy. Fire!” The younger brunette pointed over to a line of fire, running itself to a shit load of petrol barrels.

‘Wshhhhhhhh!’

Both girls ducked as the barrel exploded with a huge wave of fire engulfing the roof.

“Fuck!” Lucy automatically pulled Ona closer to her. 

“We have to leave, this place is going to come down.”

Ona nodded. “The door.” 

Lucy eyed the door, but Slims was still hiding somewhere. 

“You ready?” 

“Wait.”

Ona grabbed Lucy by the collar, she brought their mouths together, gently kissing her lips. It felt like everything went silent for just a second. It was a gentle kiss, but it was pure love between the two. This could be the last time she’d be able to ever kiss the girl, and she didn't want to take her chances. Lucy understood that.

Her green eyes scanned the bruised face in front of her. 

“Ready?” 

“Si.” 

The girls made their move, crouching as they creeped behind the tall units. The fire above them began to spread quickly, swallowing the roof in its path. 

“Keep your eyes peeled. He’s behind one of those beams.” 

Ona nodded, her gun was in her hand aiming, though her vision was blurry.

“We run, but don't go straight, zig zag. Don’t let him follow you.” The shorter brunette ordered.

“Yeah, okay. I’ve got your back.”

“I’ve got yours.”

The girls moved from the cover off the units, out into the open. The room was heating up, the fire above growing by the second. The thick smoke started to creep down, making it harder to see and breathe. 

“It’s clear. Run!” 

The girls ran, zig zagging like Ona said to do, but the bullets still came firing at them. 

“Keep going, Ona!”

Ona winced as she ran, her body was weak, but the fire in her belly made her push forward. Having Lucy be her side made her push even more. 

Lucy spotted Slims, she fired her own bullets his way, missing in her quick pace. They were nearly at the exit, Ona was slow but she kept going. Lucy watched as Slims ducked behind the units as she fired, she walked closer towards him, she wanted to kill him.

“Come on, Lucy!” 

The door was open, Ona could see the sky. 

‘Whhhhhssshhhh’

Ona dropped back, hitting her head as part of the ceiling came crashing down, blocking the door. Her gun fell from her hands, skidding across the floor, the room quickly began to thicken with black smoke, it almost became impossible to see. 

She groaned as her head started to thump with a viscous pain, her vision slowly becoming blurry. The deep cut in the back of her head reopened from the fall. She weakly flinched at the sound of a gunshot, then another. Then a scream.

Lucy dropped to the floor as the bullet buried itself into her thigh. It felt like a hot poker had dug itself into her flesh.The pain felt like nothing she had ever felt before. It rattled through her body, the warm dark liquid quickly pumping out.

Lucy lost sight of Slims, and her gun. The smoke had become thicker, it made it impossible to see further than her arms. She looked around for Ona, but she couldn't see her, she couldn't hear her. She had no clue where she was. 

“Ona?” She shouted. “Ona? Can you hear me?” 

Silence.

“Where are you?.” She coughed. Her eyes began to water from the smoke.

She tried to get up, grunting in pain as her flesh screamed at her not to move. But she gritted her teeth as she stood to her feet. The room was suffocating, it felt like she was in an oven, sweat dripped from her head. 

“Ona? Where are you? Ona? Please, Ona!”

She heard a weak cough to her right, she could see what looked like a small body on the floor, but before she could move she was being thrown on her back. 

“Fuck!”

A hard object came down hard on her chest, forcing the air out of her lungs. Her leg was throbbing as it continued to bleed out. 

“Ahhhh!”

Slim stood over Lucy, his whole weight pushing on her chest by his boot.

“Stupid, bitches. Did you really think you could get away?” 

The building was collapsing around them, the metal roof screeched as it started to plummet to the floor, the orange flames burning and melting everything it touched.

Slims cocked his gun, aiming it at Lucy's face. She closed her eyes as she felt the burning pain from the black smoke seeping into her lungs. She couldn't believe this was happening.

“Slims, don't do this. Please. You don't have to kill me. Just let us go. I can say you got away. Please.” Lucy pleaded.

A malicious smile creeped on the man's face, pressing his weight down harder, on the verge of cracking her ribs. She gasped from the unbearable pain, trying to move away from the pressure of her chest, but he was too heavy 

“Shut up!”

“Do you think I’d trust a cunt like you? You’re just another useless pig-”

Lucy gasped as the heavy feeling on her chest was gone. She looked up to see Ona standing protectively over her, her fist connecting to Slims face. 

“Fuck!” 

He dropped his gun as his nose was cracked, again.

Ona had felt like she was drifting into a deep warm slumber, it was almost peaceful as the world went quiet around her. 

She saw the sky as it opened up above her, small bits of flames dropped around her, it looked beautiful, magical even, like bright stars drifting from the galaxy above. She was ready to sleep, ready to let the pain in her head become a thing of the past, until she heard a voice. 

She knew that voice, she loved that voice. She heard it again, it was calling her name. She could hear the pain, the desperate cries that called out to her. She wanted to sleep, but the voice was too familiar. 

She gasped as her body jolted, the flames above were burning bright as her mind and body told her to get up and fight. 

“Ona!” 

Ona felt an earthquake of strength seep through her body, she winced as she pushed herself up. She looked around at the chaos unfolding, the place was ablaze. She turned as she heard a voice, it wasn’t the voice from before, this one was pure evil. 

She saw his shadow in the smoke, she could just about make out what was happening. She heard Lucy struggle for air, the woman she loved being hurt by a monster. 

The Spaniard was overcome with venom as she picked herself up. The flight or fight in her came with an almost animatic urge to fight, no, kill. She bunched her first and bolted so hard she nearly flew off her feet. She couldn’t see his face but somehow she knew exactly where to hit.

She felt his bone crunch under her fist, it made her own fist bleed but she couldn't feel the pain, not with the anger that took over her petite body. She landed another punch and another, until he was on his back, and she was on top of him, her first coming down hard on his face. She didn’t know whose blood was whose as she kept landing punch after punch. 

All her anger, all her fear from the past 24 hours was running through her. She screamed as she let it all out. 

“Ona!” 

Ona flinched as she felt hands on her back. 

“It’s me, baby. Listen to my voice, it’s Lucy. We have to go!” 

Ona looked down at the man below. He was just about breathing. Her first was dripping with blood, his face was painted red.

She felt Lucy pull her up. Tuning her to face her.

“Ona, look at me. It’s okay, you’re okay. Follow me.” 

Ona squeezed her eyes shut. Listening to Lucy’s voice. She nodded as she took her hand. 

They began to move, but Ona stopped when she heard the man behind her cough. She pulled Lucy back.

“We can’t leave him, Lucy.”

“We can! We will die Ona, this place is going down!” 

But the older brunette could see the conflict in Ona’s eyes. It wasn’t in either girl to leave someone to die, even if he was an awful human. 

Lucy nodded. “Help me carry him.” 

The girls turned back to help the bleeding man, but just as they turned to save him a shot was fired. And then another.

Ona flinched. 

Lucy flinched. 

Ona looked to see a gun in Slim's hands. He was still trying to shoot as his barrel finished. His bloody and bruised face broke into an evil laugh that rang in Ona’s ears. 

But as soon as he started he was silenced. The sound of a deep bellowing screech roared above his head, as one of the units came tumbling down on his chest, slowly suffocating him. 

“Let's go!” Ona grabbed Lucy's hand, but she didn't move.

Lucy gasped as she fell to her knees. The two bullets had struck her, one in her chest, one in her stomach. 

“Ona.” She whispered before completely falling to the ground. 

“Lucy! No, no! Lucy!” 

Ona put her hand on Lucy’s stomach, her palm becoming covered in another person's blood. 

“No, no, no, no, nooo. Lucy, get up. Please. Come on, we’re so close.” 

“I-I can’t move.” Lucy groaned in pain. 

Ona watched as blood pumped out of Lucy's chest, she was losing so much of it. She tried to stop it, pushing her hand on her chest, but her stomach still bled out. Ona looked at the burning building around her, her mind became a haze, the smoke engulfing her lungs as she panicked in complete fear. She looked back over at Slims, she could see he was slowly dying. 

“Lucy!” The girl cried out, her heart was frantic, she had lost all thoughts as she watched the girl she loved slowly bleed out.

“Go, Ona.” 

What? No, how could she even say that.

“No!”

“Ona, go! Leave!” The girl coughed.

“No, Lucy! I’m not leaving you!”

The building was collapsing, everything was on fire, the heat was searing. Ona felt the fire burning her as it snaked closer. She looked frantically around the room for any kind of exit. She spotted a small opening that the building had made from the wreckage. 

“I’m sorry Lucy. This is going to hurt.”

Ona lifted Lucy from under her arms. The older brunette screamed in agony as her body pulsated in pain.

“I’m sorry.” Ona whispered.

She dragged Lucy, but her heart sank as she saw the blood that was trailing behind them.

“Stay with me Lucy, we’re nearly there.” 

She gently dropped Lucy to the floor, she tried to move the wreckage with all the strength she had left. She managed to shift it a bit but it wasn't enough. 

“Come on, come on!” 

She gritted her teeth as she pushed but it was no hope. It was too heavy to do it alone. She looked over at Lucy, she felt hopeless but she knew she couldn't give up. She tried again and again and again, her sweaty hands started to make it harder to push. She took a step back as she ran at the pieces of ruble. 

“Fuck!” She slipped, catching her hand on the broken wreckage, cutting her palm open. She flinched back as her hand twitched in pain.

She dropped to her knees, coughing as the smoke crept into her lungs. She wasn't sure if it was tears or sweat that covered her face, maybe it was both. 

She had nothing left in her, her mind was a frazzle, her body was weak, everything hurt.

She crawled over to Lucy, she gently cradled her head in her lap. She looked so peaceful, it reminded her of the first morning she shared with Lucy in her flat. She kissed her forehead but couldn't ignore the blood that soaked through the girl's clothes.

“I’m so sorry, Lucy. I’m so sorry. I can't get us out.” She whispered her tears soaking her her cheeks.

Lucy opened her eyes. She smiled slightly at Ona. 

“Can I tell you a secret?”

“Of course.” Ona whispered as she stroked Lucy’s cheeks.

“I love you. I have for so long.”

“I love you too.” Ona sobbed. 

“I think I loved you the moment I saw you.” Lucy closed her eyes.

“Yeah?” Ona smiled through her tears.

“Yeah. Your freckles, I love your freckles.” Lucy coughed. 

“It was the same for me. Your eyes made my heart flutter. I love them so much, Lucy. I love you so much.” Ona’s tears dropped over Lucy's cheeks. 

“I’m sorry I couldn't get you out, Ona. I tried to-”

“Hey, shhh. Don't say that.” Ona stroked Lucy's hair.

“You came for me. You’re here with me now.” 

Lucy closed her eyes again, her breathing becoming shallow.

Ona looked around the smokey room once more, trying to find any kind of exit, but she couldn't see anything.

“Hey, Ona. Sing with me. Islands in the stream, that is what we are.” 

Ona gave Lucy a watery smile.

“N-No one in between. How can we be wrong?” Ona sniffled.

“Sail away with me. To another world.”

“And we rely on each other, ah ha.”

The girls sang the last line together.

“From one lover to another, ah ha.” 

Ona let out a small choke, her tears were nearly blinding. 

“Ona, I’m so cold.” Lucy whispered.

The brunette's life flashed before her eyes. She saw glimpses of her childhood, her memories with Sophie. She saw her siblings and parents, she saw flickers of her life, but the last face, the clearest face, was Ona’s.

“I know. I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry Lucy.” She gently stroked Lucy's cheeks, her heart aching as she watched Lucy's face drain of colour.

“We can get the car there.” Lucy mumbled.

Ona scrunched her eyebrows in confusion, Lucy was slipping away. She moved to lay her head on her chest, her chest was hardly moving. She sobbed as she laid down next to the girl, with the love of her life. Even if it was only for a short time, it was the happiest she'd ever been.

She only got a glimpse of what it could be like, to be part of Lucy's life. To have someone she truly loved, someone who looked at her like she was the only person in the room, someone who gave her butterflies every time she smiled at her. Someone who made her laugh until her stomach hurt, someone who made her whole.

She got a taste of love, and she would cherish that until her last breath.

This was it. This was her ending. 

She felt like she had let herself down, her colleagues down, her parents down, her friends down, but most of all she felt like she had let Lucy down. One felt sleepy again, her body screamed for sleep. For rest. She coughed hard as the building burnt away.

She saw the same bright light from earlier. The one that made her feel like she was about to float away and sleep, a peaceful sleep. It became brighter and brighter until she was nearly blinded. 

“They're here! Hurry up!” 

Jordan pushed some of the wreckage, easier than Ona could.

Suddenly a firefighter was grabbing Ona. Lifting her like a baby. 

“Lucy?!” She weakly tried to fight out of the grip the firefighter had on her. She turned to see Lucy’s lifeless looking body being lifted, her face was a scary shade of white. 

Ona felt the cold air hit her sweaty body, it was almost painful. She gasped as the even colder air hit her lungs, that was agonsing. 

There were police cars, ambulances and fire trucks all scattered around. The first face she recognised was Demi's, then Jordan. Then Sarina’s

The firefighter gently laid her next to the ambulance.

“Is there anyone else in there?”

Ona shook her head. “They're dead.”

They nodded and brought a mask to Ona’s face to help her breath.

“Breath deep and slowly for me.”

She allowed them to put the mask on her face, but her eyes looked for Lucy.

“W-Where's Lucy?”

“Ona!” Sarina was crouching next to the Spaniard. “Ona, are you okay?” She touched Ona like a mum would, just like the way Lucy's mum did.

She nodded. “Where's Lucy?”

“They are looking over her now. She's going to the hospital.” Sarina put her hand on the back of Ona’s head, she pulled back when she felt the sticky substance.

“Christ, Ona! Your head!” 

Ona ignored her, she moved the mask away from her face and weakly ran to the ambulance.

Lucy was on the ambulance stretcher. Her clothes had been cut open as the paramedics tried to stop the bleeding. Seeing Lucy's body covered in her blood was something that Ona would never be able to unsee. 

“Hi Lucy, I’m Alessia. I’m a paramedic, we're here to help okay?”

Lucy slowly nodded, Ona was shocked to see she was awake.

“Good, let's put this mask on you, it's gas and air for the pain.”

“Hi Lucy, I’m Ella. Ready, Less?”

The blonde nodded.

“Okay, Lucy this may hurt. Keep breathing that gas and air for me.”

Ona watched as the younger brunette stuck a thick cotton pad on Lucy's stomach. Then wrapped it quickly with bandages. Lucy weakly groaned out in pain. Ella repeated the same method with the other two holes that leaked with blood.

“Okay lets get her in. She needs to be seen urgently.”

Ona watched on with wide eyes. She followed the girls as they rushed to the ambulance, not wanting to leave Lucy's side. They moved the older brunette into the vehicle and slotted her into the free space.

“She’s going with her. Her head is also bleeding.” The Dutch woman instructed as she came up behind Ona.

The blonde paramedic watched Ona’s worried face and nodded.

“Take a seat just up here. Strap yourself in.” 

Ona quickly climbed into the vehicle, her eyes were glued to Lucy as she passed her.

Alessia started to hook the older brunette onto monitors and drips. Ona watched as the white cotton pad had already started to bleed through to the bandages. 

“What’s your name?” The blonde smiled at Ona as she took notes down.

“Ona.” She returned a weak smile back, “Is she going to be okay?”

Ella closed the back of the ambulance's doors and made her way to the front. The ambulance sirens were turned on immediately.

Alessia bit her lip as she fiddled with Lucy's bandages. “She's stable, but she's lost a lot of blood. I think she’s got a lot of trauma to her stomach.”

Ona stared at Lucy, her face was ashy with smoke, her normally neat hair was falling out of its bun. She wanted to hold her. Lay in her strong arms, tell her how much she loved her, again and again.

“She’s a bit out of it, I've given her a stronger drug for the pain.” 

Ona nodded as she reached over and stroked her cheek, her own hand still bleeding.

“Oh Ona, that looks painful, let me take a look at that.” Alessia said, as she gently took Ona’s bleeding hand. “It's deep but it shouldn't affect any nerves. I’ll quickly clean it and wrap it up. Then I want to look at your head.”

Alessia fiddled with some draws, grabbing the bits she needed. 

“This is going to sting.” 

Ona nodded. She felt the alcohol wash over her hand but she couldn't feel the sting, she just stared at Lucy as her chest barely moved. 

Alessia took a look at Ona’s head, she cleaned that cut but was a lot more concerned with it then her hand.

“You need to be treated as soon as we get there. I don’t like the look of this cut. You must be in so much pain.” Alessia frowned at the thought as she dabbed the blood away.

Ona heard her but she wasn’t really listening, she felt a numb ache rise over her body, as she watched the love of her life fight for her life. 

“What was this all about? What happened?” Alessia asked as she took more notes.

Ona took a deep breath as she explained the situation to Alessia.

“Oh, Ona. I’m so sorry.” She reached over and took Ona’s bandaged hand in hers. Her big blue eyes were glassy. 

“And she's your partner?”  

Ona shook her head. “No, I mean. One day maybe but-”

Alessia smiled as the realisation washed over Ona’s face. 

“Oh, you mean… Yeah. She's my work partner.” Ona let out a shy chuckle.

“I think you make a cute couple.” Alessia winked.

The Spaniard couldn't help but look at her feet, smiling at the blonde's words. 

They finally arrived at the hospital. Ella and Alessia wheeled Lucy to the emergency department as Ona followed behind. She didn't notice the other hospital goers gasping and staring at her face, her attention was solely on the brunette. Ella had already called in and explained Lucy’s condition and injuries to the doctors, passing her over to the care of the hospital straight away.

The nurses began to quickly rush Lucy to the ward, Ona tried to follow her but was stopped by Alessia.

“You need to be checked, Ona. I know you want to be with her and I swear you can see her once you’ve been looked at. I promise.” She smiled warmly at the Spaniard. 

The blonde turned to the nurse waiting. “This is Ona, she needs to be seen straight away. She has a deep cut in the back of her head. I’m worried she might have a fracture to the skull. She’ll need x-rays and some looking over her face and lungs.”

Ella gave Ona a gentle squeeze on her shoulder, smiling reassuringly at her.

“Okay, thanks guys. Please follow me, Ona. I’ll get you checked into x-rays and we can take it from there.” The nurse smiled. 

“Good luck, Ona.” Alessia stroked the petite girl's arm. 

It was truly overwhelming having been inches from dying to having someone who showed you genuine kindness all in the space of 20 minutes, she almost didn't want to leave Alessia’s side.

“Thank you. Thank you for helping.” 

She was ushered away as Ella and Alessia made their way out of the hospital and on the way to their next patients. 

Ona had her x-rays done. It turned out Alessia’s hunches were correct. Ona had a fracture to her head and needed to stay at the hospital for extra treatment. And throughout it all, all she could do was think about Lucy. She had constantly asked if she could see her, but every nurse or doctor had repeated the same thing: ‘I'll check that for you.’ After an hour of nurses and doctors fussing over her she was finally put on her ward, and her bed for the next couple of days.

“Hello, Ona.” A tall brunette popped her head around the curtain, smiling at the girl.

“Hello.” The Spanaird sighed as she gave a tired smile.

“I’m Ingrid. I’m going to be looking after you. I’ve been told by the police and your constable about what's happened.”

Ona nodded, her eyes wandered to the window. 

“I thought you might want to go see Lucy?”

Ona jumped up so quickly she winced from the ache in her body.

“I can see her?”

Ingrid smiled. “Yes, she's just come out of the theatre.” 

Ona climbed out of the bed, her feet slightly wobbly.

“Ona, before we go you need to know she's in a critical condition.” 

The raven haired girl's bright smile dimmed. “She’s been put into an induced coma. She’s had to undergo an intense surgery. The bullets were successfully removed but have caused a sufficient amount of damage to her insides. The surgeons have done all that they can for now, but at this moment in time it's a waiting game.”

Ona felt her stomach lurch, she understood what Ingrid meant, it made her instantly nervous to see Lucy. She nodded and let Ingrid lead the way.

She walked down the corridor with Ingrid, the smell of hospital took over her senses. She noticed nurses and doctors eyed her curiously as they walked. 

“You’re a bit famous. The news of you and Lucy is all over the TV.” Ingrid cringed. 

“Really?” 

“Yeah, we have security all over the place. Many news reporters are outside.”

Ona squinted at the fluorescent lights above her head. She wondered if her parents knew what had happened.

“Oh that reminds me. Your constable wanted to see you, but I figured you would maybe want to see Lucy first. I know she's your partner.”

“Oh, we’re not partners yet. I mean maybe-”

“Is she not your partner on the force?” Ingrid looked confused.

“Ohh. Sorry. Yeah. Erm, yeah, she is my work partner.” Ona flushed.

Ingrid nodded and smiled as she picked up on the awkward smile from Ona.

“No worries. I understand.” She placed her hand on Ona’s shoulder.

They stopped outside a room, not too far from Ona’s.

“Okay this is her. I work on this ward, so I’ll be right out here if you need me. But take all the time you need.”

“Thank you very much.” Ona hesitated at the door.

“Take your time. It can be very overwhelming to see a loved one like this.” Ingrid smiled as she rubbed Ona’a shoulder, her kindness reminded her of Alessia.

“Y-Yeah, thank you.”

Ona took a deep breath as she pushed the heavy door open. The room was full of machines beeping and monitors moving. She just about saw Lucy amongst it all. She slowly walked a little further inside, she felt scared to get too close, worried she might somehow turn off a machine. 

Even though Ingrid warned her of the state Lucy was in, it still took her breath away. 

She pursed her lips as her gaze fell on Lucy’s face. Her face had been cleaned, her dark hair was neatly brushed and tucked behind her ear. She looked so peaceful. If it wasn't for the machine breathing for her, you would hardly know she had 3 bullets put in her body. 

Ona sat in the chair next to the bed. She watched as Lucy's chest slowly rose up and down in time with the machine that helped her breath. She ever so gently stroked Lucy's hand, her skin was so soft, so delicate. Despite the small cuts.

“Hola, Lucy.” She whispered as tears sprung to her eyes.

She looked down at her feet as she took in a shuddering breath.

“I don’t know if you can hear me. I’ve heard sometimes people can hear when they are in comas.” 

She leaned closer to the bed, her eyes roamed Lucy's face as if she was waiting for a response.

“Well, I hope you can hear me. I-I just want to thank you. You saved my life, in more ways than one.” Her tears began to roll down her cheeks.

“I know you would probably roll your eyes at me right now and say something like “Yeah, yeah. It's just what I do.”  but you don’t know how thankful I am for you. You are so special to me. I can’t lose you. Please, please pull through this. I promise to tell you how much I love you everyday, every hour. No, every 10 minutes.” Ona smiled between her tears. 

“Besides, you still have tickets to “The Big London Bake.” I know you’re excited for that. I want to see you in an apron, making cakes that are probably better than the teachers. As we know you are the best at everything.” Ona began to smile until her lip quivered, she felt her throat begin to close up. The hold she had was beginning to break. 

“Please, Lucy. I love you so much. You are such a special person. I can't lose you. Please.” She brought Lucy's hand up to her lips, kissing her skin as her salty tears seeped into her lips.

She stayed like that for another half an hour, staring at the girl on the bed. She watched on as the heart monitor counted her heart beats. She listened to the sounds of the beeping machines. It almost started to sound like a relaxing song, a lullaby even. That's when her wet eyes began to droop heavily as her aching body allowed sleep to take over.

She was woken up by a hand gently shaking her.

“Ona, darling. Ona.” 

Ona slowly opened her eyes, a throbbing in her head made her wince. 

“Oh, I'm so sorry, Ona. I didn't mean to hurt you.” 

Ona finally opened her eyes to be met with green eyes, but they weren't Lucys, they Lucy's mums. 

“Carol? Carol! Ona jumped up, and was engulfed in a rib breaking hug. She winced again.

“Ow, sorry, sorry.” She let go of Lucy's mum even though she really didn't want to.

“Oh Ona, your face.” Carol gently cupped Ona’s face as she examined her like the doctors did. “How are you? Sorry, that's a stupid question, we saw it on the news. I don’t even know what to say, you must have gone through so much.” Carol's eyes began to tear up, though it looked like she had already been crying.

“Lucy saved me.” Ona let her tears roll down her face as her voice cracked.

Carol broke out into a soft smile, stroking Ona’s face, her own tears rolling.

But the feeling of guilt engulfed Ona, seeing Lucy's mum in front of her made it even more real.

“I’m so sorry, Carol.” Ona sniffled as her head dropped in shame. “It's my fault.” 

“Woah, hey! No, it's not Ona. Its no ones fault but that awful fucking man. Lucy did what she was meant to do. I don't want to hear you say that again, okay? Come here.” 

Carol hugged Ona again, but more gently this time. The Spanird nuzzled her face into her neck, sobbing as she did. The older woman rubbed her back just like Lucy did the day she cried in the pub toilets with her. It only made her sob more.

“Oh honey, it's okay. You’re okay.” 

She allowed herself to be held for just a while longer. 

“I’m sorry, I’ll let you have some time with Lucy.” She sniffed as she pulled back.

“Oh darling, we've been in here for about 40 minutes. John’s outside getting some air. I didn't want to wake you, it's only because the nurse told me you have visitors.” Carol smiled, wiping the tears off of Ona’s rosy cheeks. “Anyways, you’re family, I would never kick you out of this room. You know you mean the world to Lucy? And us.”

Ona felt her heart flutter, but it pained her, if only she could hear Lucy say those words.

“Thank you, Carol.” She closed her eyes as she took a deep breath in. “I have visitors?”

“Yeah, I think they’re in your room. Also the nurse told me you're due for some medicine, so make sure you get that. Don't miss that, Ona.” She said with a firm tone.

The short brunette nodded but hesitated as she looked over at Lucy.

Lucy’s mum saw the hesitation on Ona’s face, clearly not wanting to leave Lucy. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep a watch on her. You go. I'll be right here when you get back.”

“Okay.” Ona sighed. 

“Get that medicine, darling.” Carol reminded her as she began to walk out. Ona smiled at her motherly instincts, even if she wasn’t her actual daughter. 

“I will.”

Ona made the short trip to her room. She wondered who her visitors could be, she imagined it was maybe Sarina or one of the girls from work. What if it was her parents?  She opened the door to see none other than her two best friends.

“Ona!” Mapi spotted Ona first as she bolted to the smaller girl. 

“Mapi?” She was engulfed into another hug that made her wince again.

“Be careful!” Ona heard Alexia's voice approaching as she told off their clumsy and excited friend.

“I’m sorry, Ona.” Mapi’s wet eyes were full of remorse.

“It's okay. I can’t believe you guys are here!” The girl felt her heart burst.

Alexia opened her arms as she gently embraced Ona in a hug.

“Do you think we would be anywhere else?” The blonde’s normally strong voice cracked as she spoke. 

Ona felt her eyes brimming with tears once more. She loved her best friends. They were her rock, her family. Having them here was almost too much. She had thought about them so much when she was alone in that damp office room. She never thought she'd see them again, and now here they were.

“Thank you. I love you both so much.”

Mapi squeezed herself into Alexia's embrace, who still hadn’t let go of Ona.

“We love you, Ona. We’re so glad you're okay.”

The three held each other until they were interrupted as Ingrid entered the room.

“Oh, sorry. I just need to give Ona some pain relief.” She wrinkled her nose.

Ona pulled out of the embrace. “That's okay, Ingrid. I actually really need it.” Ona chuckled as her best friends let her go.

Ona sat on the bed as Ingrid pushed the trolley of medicine in.

“Hello, Ona’s friends.” 

“Hello.”

“Hola, guapa.”

Alexia shot her friend a look, rolling her eyes at the girl.

Ona couldn't help but smile as even in a hospital Mapi would still try to shoot her shot.

Ingrid’s cheeks slightly blushed as she caught Mapi’s eyes on her.

“How’s your head?”

“I've-” Mapi was about to be massively inappropriate, but was stopped as Alexia kicked her ankle to shut her up, giving her a very serious death stare.

“I do have a headache. It hurts a lot.” Ona confessed. 

“Okay, let me know if it gets worse or if you feel sick at all. I also want to check your head and hand.” She said kindly. 

“I will. Thank you, Ingrid.”

Ingrid gave Ona her pain relief and checked her over. Not ever faltering with all the questions Mapi shot at her, as she suddenly became interested in everything hospital related. 

The 2 best friends stayed for another hour until Sarina came to check in on Ona, shortly followed by Demi and Jordan and Jill. But as soon as she could she rejoined Lucy's parents and brother in her room. Visiting hours had come to an end, Carol ensured Ona she would be back again tomorrow and Ona already missed her. She hugged them all goodbye. She was able to stay with Lucy for another hour until she was told she had to return to her own room. 

The Spaniard watched some tv before she felt herself drifting off to sleep. Her slumber was peaceful at first.

Slipping quickly into a dream.

She was walking down her street outside her house. She saw Lucy smiling, but she didn’t speak. The dream suddenly felt off. Like she was being watched. Suddenly she was in her own flat. Slims was in front of her, but his face was monstrous, it was swollen and bloody. He was gasping for air while he was laughing. He tried to grab her. She then felt a pain in her head. She tried to run from him, but she couldn't move, she couldn't even scream, it felt like she was in quicksand. Slowly being pulled deeper and deeper.

Ona jumped up in her bed. Gasping as her heart raced, panic setting in of the unfamiliar room. She was wet with sweat, she pulled the wet hospital gown of her skin, hoping to get some air. She winced as her head throbbed, she was due for some more pain relief. She was about to press the button for the nurse when she heard a rush off feet outside her room. She looked at the small glass and saw a few heads running by. 

She jumped out of bed and stuck her head out the door to see what the commotion was about. She watched as the doctors and a few nurses rushed to a room down the corridor. 

Ona’s heart stopped beating as she realised the room they were rushing into.

“No.” She started to jog down the hall way, ignoring the way her head screamed at her with each step.

She was outside Lucy's room, she tried to tiptoe through the window but she was too short. She slowly opened the door to see a room full of people, rushing around Lucy. 

The machines that had once beeped in a rhythm were now flat lining. The one constant beeping tone was almost deafening. 

“I’m losing her, give me a shot.” The head doctor demanded. 

“Clear.” A nurse rubbed the defibrillators together before she pressed them onto Lucy's chest. Ona felt herself flinch as she watched the electric jolt Lucy’s body, it was the first time Lucy had ever looked frail. 

“I think we may have blood on the lungs!” 

“She'll drown. We need to operate.”

“Her body is going into shock!”

“We're losing her. Heart rate has dropped. We’re close to having no pulse.”

Ona stood frozen in fear as she watched Lucy's body fight for its life. 

“Ona?” 

Ingrid appeared behind Ona, but the girl didn't look at her. The Norwegian nurse looked through the glass to see the commotion that was unfolding. 

“Ona. you can't see this. Come.”

The taller girl pulled a crying Ona away.

“No, no. Ingrid! Please! Lucy!” 

Ingrid was stronger than Ona would have thought, easily moving her away from the door. 

But before the door shut she heard those 3 crippling words.

“We’ve lost her.” 

—-----------------

Everything had changed. 

Ona had been discharged from the hospital after a week of treatment. Her head was healing nicely, though she still had pain every once in a while. 

The first night out of hospital Mapi and Alexia had taken Ona home, ordering her favourite take away and watching a feel good film. Ona was entirely grateful for her friends, she needed them now more then ever and they hadn’t left her side since the day they first saw her in that hospital room. 

But when the night was over and the girls left to return to their own homes, Ona felt weird. She felt off, nothing seemed right. It felt like she was being watched, like something was lurking in her home. Noises that normally wouldn’t notice made her nervous. Every little creak, every little bump, she felt her heart race quicker. 

She was scared. 

The sound of a car door closing made her flinch. She closed her eyes as she tried to block it out, block out the noise of that evil laugh that now consumed her mind. 

She couldn’t sleep that night, she tried but she only ended up waking in a puddle of sweat from her nightmares. Her mind had taken her back to that day, back to the pain. She no longer felt safe in her own home. 

The next day she packed a bag and stayed in Alexia’s spare room. 

Sarina had insisted that she needed to take some time off, and she did, but after the fourth day the girl was going mad alone in Alexia's flat. She needed to distract herself and work was the easiest thing to do. 

But, it had been difficult returning to the office without Lucy.

Ona stared out of the office window, the sun was shining considerably bright for the January weather. She found herself staring a lot lately, dissociating with the life around her. 

“Hey Ona, I sent over the reports you asked for, have you signed them off?” Jordan put her head over the computer top like she always did.

Ona looked up at her blonde friend.

“No? The ones I asked for on John Burns? You haven't sent it.” Ona opened her emails to make sure. 

Jordan looked confused, until realisation hit her.

“I must have sent them to Lucy's email, again.”

Ona felt her chest tighten.

“It's okay.” She tried to put on a smile for her friend.

“It's not. Shit, I’m sorry, Ona. It's not the first time. I just automatically searched her email.”

Demi then appeared next to Jordan. 

“I’ve definitely written Lucy's name in a few emails to you, Ona. I’m sorry.” 

Both girls looked genuinely distraught, the Spainard could see it on their faces.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry. Seriously.”

A silence fell over the three girls, Demi and Jordan clearly feeling bad. 

Ona glanced over at the messy, her eyes lingering over a picture of Lucy and her niece. 

“I miss her.” Jordans eyes looked slightly glassy. 

“So do I.” Demi looked over to the empty seat that was once filled, it looked like it pained her to do it.

“I made 4 tea’s the other day, one was for Lucy.” She chuckled sadly. 

“I do that.” Jordan confessed, as she bit her lip in thought.

Ona felt her heart sink, she let out a sigh as she thought about the brunette. 

“I’m going to go for lunch.” Ona started to gather her bits.

“Do you want company?” Jordan asked.

“No, it's okay. Thank you.” Ona smiled at her friends. She wasn't upset with them but she just needed a little time on her own.

Ona made her way to the destination in mind.

—---

“Gravy or curry, darling?”

“Curry, please.”

“Good choice, enjoy sweetheart.” 

“Thank you.” Ona smiled at the kind grey haired woman. 

She walked to the spot she had been thinking about a lot lately. She faintly smiled as she remembered the night Lucy brought her here. She sat on the bench facing the city. She sat alone in the cold, eating her curry and chips.

—--------

3 months later.

Ona walked into the graveyard, her red umbrella stood over her head as the rain came down around her. She felt weird, she never liked graveyards. Not since she was a kid and attended her abuelas funeral. She spotted an older woman laying flowers on a grave, she wondered if it was a partner that she was visiting. 

She walked on, making her way to the spot. Finally, she came face to face to the grave, she looked over the earth that was still risen. Her stomach dipped as she looked at the name. A cold shiver ran up her spine as the memories of that day came back to her.

She looked down at her feet, not knowing what to do. Should she say something? A prayer? She didn't believe in god or any religion, so she wouldn't even know what to say. She felt a wave of emotions hit her, pain, anger, sadness, guilt. Guilt was the main feeling, the one that laid heavy on her chest.

She looked around the peaceful grounds, then back at the tomb stone. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she exhaled. Her mind wondered what life would be like if things were different that day. She wondered what would have happened if Lucy hadn't found her, if she had been aware of her surroundings. That familiar pain in the back of her head creeped at the skin where her scar lived. 

Her eyes started to blur with tears. Her scarred hand flexed awkwardly around the umbrella handle as the first tear rolled down her left cheek. Then another, and another, she couldn't stop once she started. The floodgates had opened up. The pain, the anger, the guilt coming up in sobs. She closed her eyes once again, trying to breath through the thoughts swirling in her head.  

She took in a deep breath as she finally started to calm down. 

Large beams of sun peeked through the clouds, and the rain slowly stopped. Ona still got confused with the British weather. She watched as a double rainbow started to form a mile or so away,it brought a small smile to her wet cheeks. But before she could think about it too much her phone started to ring.

She looked at the screen and answered.

“Hey.”

“Hi, how is it?”

“Fine.” Her voice wobbled a little.

“Just fine?” 

“I cried. I feel stupid.” Ona sniffled. 

“No! Don’t feel stupid! The therapist said that could happen, didn't she?”

Ona nodded. “Yeah. I’m glad I did it.”

“Good. I’m glad you did too.”

“Sí. I’m heading to you now.”

“Okay, take all the time you need. I’m in no rush.”

Ona laughed through wet eyes. “That's a lie! You’ve been in that hospital bed for 3 months, even the nurses say you're driving them to the wall.”

“It's ‘up the wall.’ And I'll have you know that nurse Mary loves me.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Ona rolled her eyes. “I'll see you soon.” 

“Okay. See you in a bit.” 

Ona took one last look at the grave.

‘Here lies Frank Smith. May god rest his soul’

She walked away. Her smile grew as the sun opened up the clouds further. She suddenly felt lighter as she left the place of rest.

—---------------

“Okay, that's everything.” Ona looked over at her empty suitcase as she hung the last bit of clothing up in the now packed wardrobe. 

“Yeah?”

Ona shivered as a familiar voice purred into her ear. 

“You should be resting.” The Spaniard turned around, a concerned look on her face.

“What's the point of resting if I dont have my sexy girlfriend nurse at my beck and call?” 

Ona snorted with laughter. “Are you serious? Gosh you're so needy, Luce.” 

She cupped Lucy's face, bringing their lips together, smiling at the needy woman.

Though It had been a difficult 3 months.

Ona had nearly lost Lucy in the hospital that night, and even weeks after. Her body had gone into a cardiac arrest, her heart had actually stopped beating for a whole minute. But the girl didn't have the name ‘Tough’ for no reason. It was a miracle really, the doctors and nurses brought her back from death's doors. It was a rocky road from then on. She had been in a coma for 3 weeks, her body had worked overtime to keep her alive. She had specialists watching over her constantly, day and night, worried she could slip at any point.

But after 3 long weeks Lucy woke up. 

When she finally awakened from her long sleep, she was met with those beautiful brown eyes that she fell in love with. Staring down at her. 

“Bon dia.” Ona whispered.

The older brunette stayed in the hospital for 3 long months. She recovered quickly, though the doctors had to keep constantly reminding her to take it easy. Ona visited her everyday, she even introduced Alexia and Mapi to Lucy. Giving Mapi even more reason to see a certain nurse. 

Lucy needed a lot of care, her body was getting better but she was on crutches, she needed help to wash, cook and clean and Ona was the first person to volunteer. So, it was decided that Ona would move in with Lucy. 

The Spaniard hadn’t slept in her own flat since the night she stayed with Alexia. The blonde was sad to see her go, but she also couldn't deny how happy and excited her younger friend was.

The younger brunette smiled as she leaned into her lover.

“I love the taste of your lips.” Lucy purred into Ona’s mouth.

Ona whimpered, already feeling a jolt of heat travelling South. To say she was desperate was an understatement. It has been over 3 months since she and Lucy had sex but she wasn't about to jump on Lucy while her body was still healing. 

“Lucy. You know we can’t. Your stitches-”

“Are fine. I promise. I’ll stop if it's too much.”

She kissed the petite girl softly.  

Ona bit her cheek in worry, but god she wanted Lucy so badly. 

Lucy saw the pensive look on her face, she understood the stress and anxiety that Ona had been through since that day. Her cuts and bruises may have healed but her mental state hadn't and Lucy was never going to make her feel like she had to do anything.

Lucy gently cupped Ona’s chin, her green eyes scanning her face. She lovingly stroked her thumb on the girl's left cheek.

“We don’t have to do anything, you know? I’ll wait for you. Whenever you feel ready.” 

Ona melted into the older brunette's soft touch, her reassuring voice made her heart melt. She felt so safe with Lucy. She knew the girl would never push her, she knew she would understand if she wasn’t ready. She had been scared for this moment, but that feeling of being scared didn’t come up, Lucy was enough to make her feel safe.

“Thank you, Luce. I’m good. I just, I’m a little embarrassed.” 

“What? Why?” The brunette looked genuinely confused.

“I’m of wet already.” Ona bit her lip, her brown doe eyes looking innocently up at Lucy. 

Lucy's mouth gaped open. The Spaniard watched as her pupils grew with pure want.

Ona flirtatiously pushed her chin closed, smiling playfully as she walked backwards, taking Lucys free hand that wasn't holding a crutch. She guided them towards the bed. Lucy hobbled with her good leg, Ona couldn't help but think she even made that look sexy.

“Come lay down.” Ona whispered as she patted the middle of the bed.

Lucy lent her crutch on the wall as she slowly took a seat on the edge of the bed. Trying her best not to wince, but Ona didn't miss a thing.

“You sure you’re okay, Luce?”

This time it was the younger brunette to stroke Lucy's cheek. 

“Yeah. I think I might just have to be on my back. My thighs a bit sore. Sorry, really great sex talk.” She rolled her eyes in slight frustration. 

“Hey, that's okay. You know I like to be on top.” Ona purred as she brought her lips to Lucy's ear, nibbling on the sensitive skin. 

Lucy's jaw clenched as she felt her body needing the girl in front of her. She pulled Ona closer to her, capturing their lips together. The kiss was slow and gentle, nobody pushed for dominance. Both girls just wanted to familiarise themselves with each other. Of course they had sneaked a few kisses here and there in the hospital but they had been interrupted nearly every time. Ingrid had even started covering her eyes before she entered. 

The kiss slowly deepened. It was Lucy who first asked for entry, humming when Ona easily gave it to her. Her tongue stroked Ona’s lips, making the girl whimper. Lucy felt her clit throb hearing those beautiful noises she pulled from the girl.

The kiss became more intense, but it wasn't messy, it was still slow, but the emotional force became more apparent, the girls hummed and groaned as they pushed everything they were feeling for eachother in their kiss. Lucy felt Ona’s fingers at the bottom of her shirt, waning the clothing gone. 

“Can I?” She mumbled against her lips.

“Y-Yeah.” Lucy nodded.

Ona unbuttoned the shirt without breaking the kiss, exposing Lucy's firm stomach. 

And her scars. 

The Spaianrd stroked her hands over Lucy's chest, smiling into the kiss as she felt no signs of a bra. Her fingertips came into contact with the small lump on Lucy's chest. She broke the kiss as she leaned back, she eyed the red mark and brought her lips to Lucy's chest gently kissing the scar that was still healing. 

“I love you.” She gently pressed her lips back on Lucys.

The older brunette smiled. “I love you too.”

Lucy removed Ona’s t-shirt, her eyes took in the beautiful girl in front of her. She felt a rush of love take over her as she began to kiss the younger girl's neck with the most gentle of touches.

Everything was slow, every touch, every kiss, every move. Neither girl wanted to miss a thing, each little gasp and little whimper heightened the rush between them. Ona broke the kisses, she stood up as she unbuttoned her trousers, but it was Lucy who removed her little black thongs. 

She kissed Ona’s stomach, relishing in the tiny gasps that fell from the Spanianrds mouth. She left a small trail of kisses along her abs, flicking her tongue along her milky skin. Ona could feel herself becoming wetter from each kiss. She was sure she could have come from Lucy’s tongue on her skin alone.

“Come.” 

“I’m going to if you keep doing that.”

Lucy laughed. “No, I mean come.” 

Lucy dragged herself to the headboard. Her back was now leaning against it. Ona shuffled on her knees towards the older brunette. 

“Come sit.” Lucy tapped her good thigh, a lustful smile plastered her face.

The Spaniard bit her lip as she gently straddled her good thigh. 

“Fuck!” She hissed as her wet pussy came into contact with something other than her own fingers. 

Lucy's hands instantly gripped her hips, gently making the girl rock on to her thigh. Ona understood the gesture and began to move her hips, sliding her wet sex along Lucy's skin. 

“You look so good, Ona.” Lucy sighed in pleasure as she watched her girlfriend use her thigh to work herself up. 

Ona’s head dropped back, feeling her orgasm already building up, but she didn't want to come like this. She stopped her movements.

“I want you, Lucy. Please.” She took Lucy's hand from her hip, placing it between her legs. “Inside.” She whispered breathlessly.

“Anything you want.” Lucy husked as she brought her fingers to her core, coating her digits with Ona’s essence. 

She circled her clit, her own arousal growing as she watched the girl whine above her. Her eyes took in Ona’s naked form in front of her. Her heart swelled knowing she was all hers.

“Ona, baby. How are you so-”

She pushed her fingers inside, smiling as Ona gasped.

“Perfect.” 

“Dios, fuck!” The younger girl whimpered as she took Lucy in.

Lucy was gentle, she slowly stroked her fingers in and out of Ona’s tight walls. The younger brunette rolled her hips at a slow pace, her core fluttered as she remembered what it was like to have Lucy again.

“You feel so good.” She closed her eyes as she allowed herself to get lost in Lucy's touch. 

Lucy was in heaven as she watched the petite girl's jaw slacken. Her neck tilted back as she fluttered around Lucy's fingers. 

She moved her hand from Ona’s hip to her long caramel hair, gently entangling her fingers. Ona’s eyes opened as she felt Lucys touch. She leaned closer to Lucy, her heart fluttering at the smile Lucy gave her.

“I love you, Ona.”

Lucy pressed her forehead to her lover. Their lips inches apart.

“I love you-u.” 

Lucy's fingers started to pick up pace, bringing the girl closer to her peak.

“I’ll always protect you.” Lucy whispered, her voice trembled as she let her emotions get to her.

Ona heard her tone, she felt her own eyes water at the words, she knew Lucy was trying to get her emotions across.

Ona connected their lips once more, gasping into Lucy's mouth as she felt her cunt flutter around her fingers. The older brunette circled her thumb around Ona’s very wet clit, she smiled into the kiss as the Spaniard let out a desperate cry. 

“Lucy! D-Don’t stop. Please!” She trembled above.

Lucy shook her head. “Never. I’ve got you, I've got you, baby.”

Ona bit her lip, her thighs began to shake as that warm familiar feeling drifted up her body. Their heated mouths came together as Ona rocked harder on Lucy's fingers.

The pure love the girls had for each other was radiating intensely between them, it was like a pull of inner thoughts, both yearning for the other flowing, pouring between them as one person. This was more than sex, they were making love. 

“Fuck. I’m coming.” 

“Come for me baby, you can do it.” Lucy whispered against her lover's lips, adoring the way Ona’s breath hitched.

Ona let out a whimpering moan as her body spasmed against Lucy’s. The older brunette watched in wonder as she felt the soft muscles twitch around her fingers. She smiled proudly as she kissed Ona’s chest, tasting the sweat on her skin, 

“Lucy. Fuck.” The Spaniard breathlessly giggled as she felt her body shaking. 

Lucy stared at the drop dead gorgeous girl in front of her, she bit her lip as she eyed the dark freckles that she loved so much, the brown specks standing out against her flushed face. 

She slowly removed her fingers, but didn’t dare waste the taste of her girl. She sucked off any remaining juices as Ona watched her with wide eyes. She yelped in shock as Ona smashed her lips against her own, her tongue begging to taste herself on Lucy.

“I want you.” Ona mumbled against Lucy's lips.

“Yeah?” Lucy smirked as she felt Ona tug at her jogger bottoms.

“So badly.” Ona began to kiss down Lucy’s body, giving her abs extra attention. She eyed the second scar, making sure to give the mark a lingering kiss. 

“How did I get so lucky?” Lucy stroked Ona’s hair behind her ear.

The younger girl moved lower sucking on Lucy's tight skin. She easily slipped the joggers and Lucy's boxers off, revealing just how wet Lucy was for her.

“Oh? Someones a little excited.” Ona smirked as she lowered herself back down between Lucy's thighs, gently biting the sensitive flesh. 

“Hmm, fuck. Ona.” The brunette closed her eyes as she let out a desperate sigh. “Please, ba- shit!”

Ona eagerly stroked her tongue through the girl's wet lips, humming as she was finally able to taste Lucy again.

“Ona, your mouth is so fucking perfect.”

Ona buried her face further, dipping her tongue into Lucy's tight walls. The older brunette lovingly stroked Ona’s hair back, watching the girl as she fucked her with her tongue. A groan rumbled from her throat as the girl between her legs pleasured her like it was her job. Her wetness was constantly coating the girl's tongue, as her pussy spasmed with heat.  

Ona would stay there all day if she could, her eyes closed in pleasure, swallowing Lucy's essence, feeling Lucy on her tongue. She smiled as she felt Lucy's fingers stroke her face. She looked up at the girl on her back, she shot a wink as she saw Lucy watching her. Her beautiful green hooded eyes struggled to stay focused.  

“You’re so amazing, Ona.” Lucy sighed as she stroked Ona’s hair once more. 

Ona kept their eyes fixed as she gilded her tongue through Lucy's velvety folds, wrapping her lips around her erect clit. Lucy broke the gaze as her head was thrown back on the pillow, her clit finally in Ona’s warm mouth.

“Yes, just like that, Ona.”

Lucy delicately entangled her fingers through the caramel locks, she had a secret obsession with Ona’s hair, she loved the feeling of her soft tresses in between her fingers. She tried to keep her eyes on the girl as she bobbed her head up and down as she sucked and licked her bundle of nerves. But when Ona began to kiss her clit she lost it. 

She felt her thighs shaking, the warm feeling in her thighs and stomach began to rise.

Her hand pushed Onas head slightly further between her legs.

“That's it. Just like that. I love you so fucking much. You’re so fucking perfect.”

Lucy groaned as her hips grinded up into Ona’s mouth, her swollen lips kept her swollen clit captured, swirling her tongue around the pink head. She watched as the beautiful girl above her jolted and moaned, her abs flexing with each thrust. She watched proudly as she crumbled above her.

Lucy hit her climax, the heavy feeling washed over her body as she came loudly in her girlfriend's mouth. 

She shakily breathed out shorts gasps, her chest rising and falling hard. Ona was almost scared she might have pushed her body a little too hard. 

“You okay there?” Ona kissed her thigh.

“Okay isn't even close to the word that I’m feeling.” Lucy chuckled breathlessly. 

Ona laid her head against Lucy's good thigh, she was absolutely in love with her view. This gorgeous goddess of a woman was still stroking her hair as she calmed her heart rate down. The older brunette caught her eyes on the Spaniard.

“You’re so beautiful, Lucy,” 

Lucy's cheeks blushed harder than before.

“Thank you, but you can’t see the view that I have right now.” 

Ona’s brown eyes twinked as she smiled up at her lover. She kissed Lucy's thighs as she made her way up, she came in contact with the third scar on Lucy's body. She gently kissed the red mark on her thigh, kissing her way right up into Lucy's mouth.

Everything had changed, but their love had only grown.

—---------

1 year later.

“Come on, Lucy. We're going to be late.” Ona shouted from their bedroom as she fixed her earrings in. 

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Lucy pulled her suit jacket on as she looked at herself in the bathroom mirror.

Her head snapped up as she heard a wolf whistle from the door, smiling as Ona greedily took in her outfit.

“Maybe we can be a little late.” Ona giggled as she walked over capturing Lucy's lips. 

“Yes! We definitely can!” Lucy picked the shorter girl up with ease, smirking when she heard the surprised squeak from her girl. She placed her on the bathroom side, slotting herself between Ona’s legs, her strong hands pushed the black flowy dress up. Smiling to herself as she exposed the Spaniards thighs.

Her mouth eagerly captured Ona’s, the younger brunette moaned into the heated kiss. But she pulled herself away before she could get too into it.

“No, I was joking, we have to go! This day is for you.” Ona reminded her. 

Lucy sighed as she looked away, Ona frowned as she instantly saw the worry on her girlfriend's face. 

“Hey, what's wrong? Are you not happy for today?”

Lucy anxiously rubbed her thumbs on the younger girl's exposed thighs, not meeting Ona’s eyes.

“Luce? What's wrong? Talk to me.” Ona lifted Lucy's chin, forcing the girl to look at her.

“I….I just worry that I don't actually deserve this.” She sighed heavily, 

“Oh, my baby. Of course you do, Luce. There isn't anyone out there that's more deserving than you. That's why she's picked you.”

Lucy's thumbs continued their movements on the girl's skin.

“Lucy? Come on. The whole team also think it, you know that right? They adore you and you put in 110 percent everyday.” 

Lucy smiled into Ona’s hand. Her words perking her up slightly.

“You sure?” The girl's tone was full of doubt.

It was weird for Ona to see Lucy so unsure of herself. The girl was a beacon of self confidence. 

“I’m a thousand percent sure. You’re the back bone to that place. And besides you literally saved my life.” Ona gently kissed Lucy’s lips, happy to feel her girlfriend melt into the kiss. 

“Hmm, I did, didn’t I?”

Lucy’s thumbs snaked up Ona’s thighs as the kiss became a little more heated. The shorter girl’s breath hitched when she felt Lucy’s fingers stroke over her lace underwear. 

“You sure we don’t have time?” 

Ona groaned as she reluctantly pulled away. “I’m sure, let’s go.”

Lucy pouted but the shorter girl only ignored her, giving her a quick peck on her lips instead. Lucy helped her back down, smacking her arse as they left the bathroom. 

—————

“Thank you everyone for coming today. It’s a real honour to have been promoted to Chief Constable. I will do my best to feel some big shoes. But I actually want to thank the team. If it wasn’t for them myself and Ona wouldn’t be standing here with you today. I want to also thank Sarina for not firing me.” 

The room of guests laughed as Lucy winked at Sarina.

“You have taught me so much over the years, and I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to also learn and grow into the role. Thank you for also allowing me to work things on my own.” 

The room clapped and cheered. 

“Ona. Thank you for being the rock that I needed after everything that happened. You were my sun when things got dark. You stuck by me through my good and bad days, and trust me there were many bad days. But you never gave up on me. I hope I was your rock during this journey, and I hope to be your rock forever.” 

Ona nodded her head, watching only Lucy. Her eyes watered with tears as she proudly looked at her girlfriend. She looked up at Jill when she felt her hand on her shoulder. 

“Anyways. That’s enough from me. I think it’s time for some shots!” 

The group broke out into laughs and cheers. 

Lucy headed straight to Ona who had the biggest smile on her face, she looked so utterly proud of Lucy.

—----------

2 and half years later. 

“Ready Bronze?”

 “So ready.” Lucy chuckled as she looked in the mirror.  

“What are you talking about? She's been ready since the day Ona walked into that office.” Demi rolled her eyes, laughing at the question.

“That's true, she was a goner the moment she looked into those big brown eyes.” Jill chuckled as she pushed Lucy out the way to look at her own reflection. 

“I won’t even argue, you're all right.” Lucy smirked as she fixed her tie.

“Come on then! Let's go get you down the aisle. Your soon to be wife is probably getting impatient.”

Alexia walked into Ona’s room, smiling at her best friend. 

“You look beautiful, Ona.” 

“Thank you, Ale.” The petite girl opened her arms for best friend.

“I look good too? No?” Mapi strolled over, joining the hug.

Alexia rolled her eyes, but her smirk was anything but annoyed. “Si, Mapi, you look beautiful too.” Alexia squeezed her friend's cheek.

“Aye! Watch my make up!” Mapi whacked Alexia’s hand away.

“Si, sorry! I wouldn't want you to look bad for your sexy nurse girlfriend!” Alexia chuckled, as she made sure Ona’s hair was in place. “You ready, Ona?” The blonde girl eyed Ona in the mirror as she held her shoulders. 

“So ready.” She smiled brightly at her bridesmaids.

The day was perfect, the weather was perfect, the food was perfect, the music was perfect, the atmosphere was perfect. It was everything they dreamed of and more. 

The newly wedded couple danced in the middle of the room as everyone around them watched and smiled. They swayed to the song that now meant more to them than anyone would ever understand. 

Ona tucked her head underneath Lucy's chin, she inhaled the familiar perfume that brought her so much comfort. Lucy kissed the top of her wife's head, smiling into her soft hair. 

🎵You do something to me that I can't explain. Hold me closer and I feel no pain. Every beat of my heart. We got something going on. 🎵

—------

“Don’t drop me!” Ona squealed as Lucy carried her through the hotel room. Again.

It was the third day into their honeymoon but she insisted that she needed to be carried every time.

“When have I ever dropped you?”

“That one time when-”

The girl was cut off when Lucy purposefully kissed her. Clearly not wanting to be reminded of that one time she dropped the Spaniard. But, Ona was more than happy to let it go when Lucy kissed her like that.

The taller brunette laid her newly wedded wife on the large double bed, she continued to kiss the girl below her, smiling as shs felt Ona’s hips grinding up into her.

“You already desperate, baby?”

Ona nodded with her teeth between her lips, her caramel hair laid out on the white sheets. Her hooded brown eyes were desperate for Lucy.

Lucy bit her lip as she looked at the girl below her, she'd never get bored of this sight. 

“What does my wife want?” She kissed Ona’s neck, sucking hard on her skin. Ona’s hands gripped on Lucy's waist as she felt the impeccable love bite being made on her skin. 

“Fuck me, ruin me.” Ona gasped as Lucy attached her mouth to the girl's easily accessed nipple, it made Lucy wonder if she wore this dress for this only purpose.

Lucy trailed wet sloppy kisses all over Ona’s chest, smirking as her wife’s whimpers became louder. She sucked and licked the sensitive flesh, opening the buttons that travelled down the easily accessed garment. She pulled the smaller girl to the edge of the bed, lowering herself to her knees. 

Her mouth gaped open as she was greeted with Ona’s already wet and exposed lips.

“No underwear?” Lucy smirked.

“No.” Ona husked, hearing the sultry and shocked hint in Lucy's voice. 

Lucy looked up to the skies as if she was thanking the gods for sending her this perfect girl.

She leaned in closer, her mouth watered at the beautiful site in front of her. A dripping and messy Ona was her favourite kind of Ona. One long broad stroke had the Spainards eyes rolling in the back of her head. 

“Lucccyy.”

The older brunette lapped noisily at Onas entrance, smiling into Ona’s cunt when she began to lift her hips up, needing more friction. 

“You taste even better as my wife.” Lucy groaned as she licked her lips.

Ona loved being spoken to during sex, it would always make her wet, but being called Lucy's wife nearly broke the fucking dam.

“Say it again.” Ona breathed out.

“My wife?” Lucy wrapped her mouth around Ona’s clit.

“Fuck! Again.”

“My wife, Mrs Ona Bronze.” She chuckled as she softly licked through Onas sensitive flesh.

The Spanairds legs started to shake, her hand entangled in Lucy's dark locks, gripping tightly as her hips grinded into Lucy’s talented mouth. She could feel every inch of the girl's tongue, gently caressing her heat.

“I’m your wife, Lucy. I belong to you. No one else. I’m only yours.” Ona gasped as her body started to feel her orgasm climbing.

The older brunette groaned into Ona’s core, she felt herself becoming almost dizzy at Ona’s words. She pulled Ona’s strong legs further apart as she ate her girl out like her life depended on it. The young brunette’s hips started to frash, as she pushed Lucy further into her core, her jaw clenching as her orgasm was about to crash over her. 

Lucy replaced her tongue with her thumb, watching the girl losing all control over her body. 

“Is my wife going to come for me? My good obedient wife?”

“Yes. Yes!”

“You’re so pretty for me, Ona. So wet and pretty. My pretty life wife.” Lucy brought her mouth back to Onas' pussy as she easily slipped two fingers inside her wife.

The dam broke. 

Ona’s cunt clenched around Lucy's fingers as her orgasm erupted through her sweaty body. Her fingers pulled on Lucy's hair as she moaned out in pleasure, fucking her wifes face. Her chest rose and fell as she tried to recover, but Lucy’s tongue was still caressing her folds. 

Her strong thighs tried to close around Lucy's head as her wife continued to suckle her clit between her lips, but Lucy's strong arms kept her open as the girl tried to squirm away. She whimpered loudly as Lucy's mouth never let up, drinking her down, swallowing every drop. 

“Lucy!” Ona begged. 

Lucy didn't listen, she was too engrossed in the taste of Ona, too distracted at the way her thighs trembled around hands. She eyed the petite girl above her, she had already won the fight when Ona began to moan again. 

She stayed between the girl's legs until she gave her another orgasm. Her face and sheets were covered in Ona’s juices. 

“Such a good wife.” Ona chuckled as she watched the girl quiver on the bed.

She walked over to the suitcase, pulling out the strap she loved. She stripped her clothes, pulling her harness over her legs.

Ona was already desperate for her again. She didn't need to be told what position to get into, she turned around spreading her knees as she put herself in Lucy's favourite position. 

Lucy smiled as she watched the shorter brunette. 

“You really are obedient, aren't you?” She slapped the girl's arse cheek, leaving a bright red mark.

“Yes.” Ona nodded her face pressed against the sheets.

The taller brunette stood behind the girl, exposing her dripping sex. She grabbed the strap in her hand, and gently rubbed it through Ona’s puffy wet lips.

“Luce, please.” Ona whispered.

“Don’t worry baby. I’m right here.” Lucy stroked the girl's cheeks as she slowly pushed herself into her wife, loving the way Ona gasped as she entered her.

This view of Ona was maybe Lucy's favourite view. Having the girl bent over, dripping wet, giving herself so easily over to Lucy sent an animalistic urge through her. She rocked her hips at a steady pace, pulling the thick strap all the way out, leaving the head inside Ona’s walls as she easily slid back.

It was a gentle motion but it didn't stop Ona from gasping for air, she could feel every inch of Lucy inside her. The way she stroked along her tight walls, her cunt clenching along the plastic made her brows twitch.

“Look at my good little bride. Taking me, pleasing me just like you should.” Lucy started to rock her hips faster, rougher.

“Y-Yes. I want to please you, L-Lucyyy.” She started to grip the sheets below her as Lucy began to fuck the ait out of her.

“You always please me Ona. Fuck.” Her head rolled back in pleasure as the base of the strap rubbed perfectly at her clit. “If it's not your perfect mouth pleasing me, it's your perfect tight pussy.” 

Ona got louder as the trust got deeper, the rooms next door would definitely know Lucys name by the end of today, but Lucy didnt care about the neighbours right now, she just wanted to fuck her wife. 

“Fuck, just like that Ona, you take it so goos, baby.” 

She gripped on to Ona’s arms, pulling them behind her back. She smirked wickedly the moment she heard the tell tell signs of her wifes next orgasm approaching. 

“No, no. Not yet. Don’t you dare come, Ona.”

Ona let out a high pitched whine, she was already close, her over stimulated body was almost giving up. 

Lucy held her wrist behind her back with her one large hand as she grabbed Ona’s caramel hair in her other hand. She tugged at the long tresses, making Ona’s noises even louder as her head was forced to move.

Lucy felt her back start to sweat. She was working the girl hard, her body was gleaming with her own sweat, her muscles flexed as she stroked in and out of the girl's tired body. She was fucking the girl like she was trying to put a baby inside her. The sounds of wet skin bounded across the room, along with loud pleasured moans.

“Is Ona Bronze going to come for me? Come all over my strap?” 

Lucy groaned at her own words, her orgasm was just on the horizon.

“Yes. YES! Please.”

“Louder.”

“YES!” 

“Always ready to please and obey. Aren't you, Ona? Such a good fucking wife.”

Ona’s cheeks blushed, Lucy’s words were throwing her mind into a haze.

Lucy felt her orgasm washing over her body. She gripped harder on Ona, fucking the girl hard into the bed below 

“Come with me, baby!”

Both girls let out a mess of moans. Lucy’s body shook behind Ona as she came with a loud groan, yanking the girl's hair back as she did. 

She could feel Ona’s walls sucking her strap in deeper, watching the plastic sinking into her walls. 

“So good. So good! My good little wife.”

Ona lost all ability to hold herself up. She allowed Lucy to pull her up against her chest, her eyes fluttered shut feeling Lucy’s lips against her neck. 

“I love you.” Lucy nuzzled Ona’s sweaty neck.

“I love you too.” The shorter girl smiled lazily. 

Lucy pulled out of Ona gently, discarding the strap.

“Shall we actually go to the beach now?” Lucy chuckled. 

Ona laughed out loud, her caramel hair swaying down her back. Lucy noticed the Mexican sun had already made her freckles darker. 

“Yeah, let’s go.” The younger brunette agreed. “Shall we go to the nudist beach?” Ona suggested with a cheeky smile. 

Lucy nearly broke her neck as she snapped her head up. “No! Nobody gets to see my wife naked. Only me.” Lucy pouted. 

Ona crawled to the end of the bed, kissing Lucy’s chest with her doe brown eyes looking up innocently.

“Hmm, remind me again.” Ona mumbled against Lucy's skin.

“My wife.” Lucy whispered.

The petite brunette could smell the wetness between Lucy's legs. It made her mouth water. She slowly started to kiss down her skin until her lips wrapped around Lucy's already swollen clit. 

“Fuck! My perfect wife.” Lucy groaned, her mouth opening in pleasure.

She entangled her fingers between Ona’s hair, face fucking hair newly wedded wife.

The beach could wait.

—---------

4 years later.

Lucy heard a knock on the door.

“That must be them.” She smiled at her wife.

She made her way to the front door, smiling as she could hear Alexia and Mapi bickering. 

“Merry Christmas!” Mapi shouted as she barged through the front door, her hands full of presents. 

“Merry Christmas, Mapi. You good?” Lucy chuckled as she watched the tattooed girl struggle to walk past her.

“Yeah, I’m good. Where’s my baby?”

Ingrid kissed Lucy on the cheek as she followed her fiance inside. “Merry Christmas, Lucy.”

“Merry Christmas, Ingrid. She's in the front room with Ona.” The brunette smiled.

Alexia hugged Lucy at the door as she rolled her eyes.

“She’s hyper already.” Alexia mumbled.

“It's christmas, you know what she's like.” Lucy chuckled.

Alexia sighed, nodding her head. “Yeah, a child.” 

Ona stood up to greet Mapi but the girl pushed past her, ignoring her friend completely and aiming for the 6 month old baby girl.

Ingrid shook her head as she hugged Ona, Alexia came straight after.

“Drinks?” Lucy asked as she opened the fridge.

“Si, Lucy. Mapi you can't hog her the whole day. You had her all day last week. You always do it!” Alexia groaned as she tried to take the chubby baby from Mapis arms. 

Ingrid watched as Mapi ran from her blonde friend. The bumberling baby laughed as she was jostled about. 

“I know that look.” Ona poked the raven haired girl. 

Ingrid's cheeks blushed pink.

“One day. But she's my baby for now.” Ingrid chuckled.

Alexia finally got hold of the curly headed baby, smiling as she cuddled her, but as soon as she held her she started to cry.

“No! See Mapi! This is what you do!” Alexia tried to bounce the baby to calm her down.

Lucy came next to Ona hugging her tightly. She chuckled at the sight before her.

“I love you, Ona.”

“I love you. Lucy.”

[egg-but-with-style]

HEADCANONS WITH THE BOYSSSS!!!!

My last post did pretty well, and if people like it, I figured I might as well try my hand at some more!!!!

Gaz

This guy literally has the best skin in the world, it's like looking at something carved from marble, everytime you ask about his skincare routine, he just says genetics.

He detests anything made with cinnamon, his older sister once made him try a pie she made, and by the time he was done eating it, he was literally coughing up cinnamon. Didn't say anything though, couldn't be mean to his sister like that.

HE CANNOT SIT STILL!! Gaz and soap are literally the most energetic people on base. Except Price finds Gaz charming and soap less so...

Also I for some reason think he smells like oranges and mangos???

(edited after I saw a tiktok about climate change) GAZ IS SUPER VOCAL ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE, all of the boys care to some degree (get it?) but Gaz brings hard facts and evidence everytime he talks about it, Price is now worried for Gaz's mental health

Price

Where to start? Maybe with the fact he has duplicates of his hats he keeps in his office drawer. Ghost went in there one time to give Price a report and saw Price open his Hat Drawer. Ghost had never seen so many hats

If some of y'all didn't know, if you have a low tolerance to cigars and breathe in too much of the smoke, you'll get sick. So, Price keeps a puking trash can just for the people that come into his office. Is he gonna stop smoking to prevent people from losing their lunch? Never.

When he's not on duty he wears the stupid Hawaiian shirts that middle aged dads wear on vacation. Also cargo shorts. Cause they're tactical

Soap

Again, he cannot sit still. He'll wake up in the middle of the night and you'll find him in the armory tinkering with an explosive, and even then he gets up every couple minutes just to pace around

He is very meticulous about his hair. Every morning he wakes up just a little bit earlier then everyone else and hair gels that baby into place. It does not move. It could probably be as effective as a military grade helmet at that point.

THIS MAN DRAWS PORN AND POSTS IT ON TWITTER!!! He uses an alias of course, and a very well hidden drawing tablet when he's on duty. Just ignore the fact that alot of the men he draws look just a tad bit like ghost. Just a little.

Also, while all of the COD men love a woman (or man) with meat on their bones, soap is feral. Chubby chaser all the way. There's also something really hot about a person being around his height and not taking his shit.

Ghost

He has horrible acne under that mask. It's actually awful how much he goes through just to keep it on. He's done skincare, moisturizing, pimple patches, everything, and nothing work. The worst part is, he thinks the mask is so cool it's worth it

This man is an actual dork. (Idea by @ghouljams) this guy definitely makes those little miniatures. The little details he puts into every bit of his work, whether it's wood grain, the look of water, he just does it all with such skill. The plus side is that it keeps his brain at bay, not thinking and more focused on what's in front of him. He also likes DND. Go figure.

I also do like the idea of trans ghost. He understands what it was like before he transitioned and feeling ashamed of his size when he used to be forced into the stereotype of what a woman should look like. So when people fuck with you about your size, he's right behind you like he's gonna kill them.

Authors note: the only thing I'm afraid of as I start writing is 1. The fan fic author curse, and 2. People actually paying attention to me, my anxiety is gonna kill me, lol. Anyway, hope y'all are having a great day!!! Bye!!!

[desultory-novice]

hello! out of curiosity, do you have any headcanons/theories/etc. concerning how moonlight mansion’s secret laboratory area factors into the dmk connection? if you don’t mind my asking, i’d love to hear your thoughts if you have any :>

Not...yet. Not a full one, anyway. I will say that the secret lab was in the back of my mind as I was writing my initial post.

Was tempted to say it belongs to someone else. King Dedede is always portrayed to be a secret gear-head but the tubes...

(Photos for those unaware of Moonlight Mansion's secret underground lab)

If... If Dark Meta Knight never had his own "Dark Halberd" and Moonlight Mansion was only his home base... Well, the Halberd is run on Wheelie technology (like the lab has Sparkies) and has similar trap/breakaway passages on it like the basement does...

Although if DMK didn't have his own Revenge of Meta Knight-style coup on Dream Land in the wings... what the HECK was he planning on doing with THIS stuff??! (All of a sudden, the idea of Susie and DMK bonding doesn't seem that strange after all...)

I've also thought a lot about DMK choosing Radish Ruins for the site of his second ambush. If it's a sign that he's got a barely concealed interest in ancient technology and old cultures as MK does...

(I was also thinking about how Moonlight Mansion is a hub to just two realms: Onion Ocean and Candy Constellation. Onion Ocean could relate to the sunken Halberd but I don't have anything relevant for Candy Constellation. It is one of the more tech-y of the realms so that could be where he got the equipment at least...)

If the Mirror enhances the negative, perhaps... MK's interest in the past was taken a bit too far in DMK? Perhaps he wasn't just content to observe it, he wanted to try and reproduce some of it?

...Then again, we're also talking about the guy who, when given a crayon and told he could draw whatever he wanted chose SWORD.

(I tease. Though him drawing a sword badly is still the funniest thing ever)

And, you know, perhaps he just needs a lab to keep the Halberd up and running? This baby is not gonna maintain itself!

Although, hot damn, that test tube is full of GREEN liquid isn't it...?

:Dess begins shaking violently:

EDIT: Last minute thoughts!! If he's got portraits of the realm bosses up, maybe he was...running experiments to try and connect the realms?? Or power the cellphone batteries...??!?

(Who DOES make those batteries? Maybe it IS DMK?!)

[hislittleraincloud]

The spring release date was said by Bianca’s mom actress (Gracy Goldman) on an Instagram comment, she said spring time 2025. I believe someone that is on the show has more knowledge than fans, yes post production takes a lot of time but we don’t know if they’re already editing some episodes while they film the others

*takes your hand*

*whispers* She doesn't know shit either.

Production for Season 1 Wednesday went from September 2021 to March 2022. That is seven months of filming and about seven to eight months of post production.

Production for Season 2 Wednesday went from early May 2024 to late November 2024 (not counting if there are any reshoots/other problems, and December was supposed to be the official wrap, despite the photo that's been circulating for the 'early' wrap party as it was posted on TwitteX).

That would mean you're speculating only ~ five to six months (at best) post-production, since the Spring TV season ends at the end of May (it's from March to May). Why in Hell would anyone think there would be less post time in the second 8-episode series — which is supposed to be "bigger and better" — is beyond me. This here might last less than three minutes, but it doesn't take only three months, it takes 2x as long to do something like it:

And if there's more of that, then it won't take less than the first season's post. Remember that Ortega herself said it'll be bigger and each episode is "like a movie".

It doesn't matter if you think there's final editing going on while the rest of the show is being filmed. That's not how it works/worked. If it did, that would've applied to the first season, and it would've taken less than eight fucking months in post/to get it out, and we saw just how much F/X went into that (with the creation of Nevermore, Tyler/Hyde, Kent underwater, Ajax's snakes, Enid's nails and final transformation/battle with Tyler, the crappy/easy Bianca Siren Song, Thing...did I miss anything there in terms of actual VFX? Nero, Eugene's bees, Xavier's drawings/paintings? Managing the other green screen graphics aside from Thing/Victor, that might be a big one?). That shit has got to be perfect, since everyone is expecting just as 'good' a season as its premiere, if not better.

And then there's a million technical things to get through in post/editing and putting it together. And then Elfman's gotta score it (or did you think that his music just magically materialized wherever Burton or Ortega moved?). He would have to watch the series to know whatever it is he needs to compose/make sure it's coherent and flows well in the finished project. Junkie XL tells us that for him, it can take anywhere from 3 weeks to a year and a half (for Mad Max: Fury Road) to score a film. Elfman and the whole crew are producing what the equivalent of 6 films would be (six 1.3hr films). That's a lot of work if he's not just going to recycle much from Season 1's score. Composers work differently and Elfman has the advantage of having completed Wednesday 1, but that's also a challenge since they want familiarity without the direct repetition of anything but the main theme.

Perhaps you and whoever else should stop and listen to the straight guys adults in the room:

While he may have run through Wednesday fairly quickly because he was given only 10 days to work on each episode after the first two (he thought he was only going to score the first two episodes, so they spent a month on that), these guys watch finished scenes over and over. This time around they can avoid a repeat of that three month stress, and I think they will. Creatives learn how to modify unreasonable requests since they've experienced how anxiety-inducing it was the first time around when they were unsure of how it'd be received.

Anyway. I repeat, it's not coming out in the spring, but here's my promise: If I am wrong and Wednesday 2 comes out in Spring 2025 — before the end of May (my birthday/two years after I debuted Satisfying Afterburn) — after only five to six months of post-production, I will write the most fkd up, sexplicit Wenclair smut that the fandom has ever seen. I'll even make it Afterburn canon.

Color me wrong, universe. I would truly love to be wrong on this, because we're all eager to see WTF they did/how they work around absences and with such a huge cast (who more than likely need some sort of VFX for some of the characters). The cast of Wednesday 2 is bloated. There's just too much they would need to do, I would think. I could be wrong. I want to be wrong. But I'm not counting on a minor-ish actor's throwaway comments on IG.

🫠

Okay, now for a bonus thought that has little to do with the speculated date of Wednesday 2's release date.

For historical purposes and I'm bored: Y'all (ALL you damn kids) should probably heed what a pre-Wenclair, pre-Wyler Ortega stated about Wednesday's motivations (i.e. before Wednesday came out and before her fame blew up, when she was more honest and before she had to self-censor and deal with something I don't think she — or any of the cast — was prepared to deal with) emphasis mine and ahh, her Old Face pre-nosejob:

"Something else I want to stress about the show too is that I never wanted it to seem like she was doing something out of the goodness of her heart. Because that wasn't what it was, it was more genuine interest, you know ... — I don't think she was ever going out intentionally to save lives or to be a hero, but more so "Oh my God, how is this guy actually pulling this off?" like, jotting down her own notes sort of thing. And it was actually the first time in her life not understanding someone's actions when they're being laid out right in front of her."

She also describes how part of Wednesday's behavioral journey was learning how to manipulate/bargain better (those are not her words, they're mine, but when you get to the part where she says Wednesday figures out that if she behaves a certain way, she can't obtain what she wants so she learns what to do, that's what it is). Nowhere in this early interview was even a hint of any of the teen romance, real or imagined, mentioned (and the criticisms about the love triangle only came after the reviews/fan complaints and preferences were aired).

But she does mention how NC Wednesday wants to be a detective. Who better to show her the ropes than Donovan? She was genuinely interested in hanging around him because he was also supposed to be an investigator that she could learn from...and teach.

...Heh.

🫠✨🖤🐦‍⬛💕����🏻‍♂️💙✨

[plebbypebblepleb]

GUYS GUYS I FOUND MY OLD WRITINF AAGAHABUVSUSVAIAHIHEHIAHSBS LAUGH AT THIS WITH ME

@six-eyed-samurai @redfielddoesthings @b3st-sunday-dr3ss

you have permission to make fun of me :3 you always do what am I saying albsbwi

alright keep in mind, willow looked like this at the time (this was a drawing from like YEARS back guys I promise...)

embarrassing!!!!! anyways, here was her original lore (I have new lore now thank GOD) OH MY FOD IT PASTED LIKE 17 TIMES JABBJSVSJ

(btw this is me editing, I'm just adding my comments guys...)

.."O-oh my god... Are you sure? Run the test again."

"Ma'am this is the 5th test we've run. She is a kitsune. She will stay that way. If you need help coping, I can help you find a physiatrist. I know some very good ones myself."

"I don't believe it. She can't have my genes. She'll suffer that way!!!"

"I'm so sorry ma'am."

Willow

Nickname: pleb

Age at that time: 1

Age now: 1184 (age reveal guys?!)

Species: kitsune

Because of my father, I can read minds and use telekinesis. Anyone who is living in my mind, aka people I draw and make up personalities for, they can become real if I say they can. (OMG I FORGOT ABT THIS AA)

Even though I'm immortal, it's in another sort of way. I am born into other planets each time I die in the last, it could be su!c!d3, it could be natural, it could be fate, it could be murd3r. Whatever it is, I birth on the next planet that the universe puts me.

Now that you know that about me, how about I tell you how my lives are crafted and based off of. (Basically writers note)

Willow's lives are crafted out of songs, most of the time. Maybe off of fake scenarios I think of while going to bed.

Anyways, now that she's stopped. (hey! kys) I have no control of what lives I live and how long they are (actually yeah I can kms, I prefer not to.)If you do not know, kitsunes gain 1 tail every 100 years, therefore I would have 11 tails, soon 12. I understand that after 1000 years, I should become a celestial fox, which would be the most powerful, and ascend to heaven, but I did everything except ascend. I don't know why. (Someone did their research 🤓☝️)

Yes, I'm a celestial fox, except I'm still a kitsune, it's complicated, I don't understand myself, even though it's me.

My birthday is 12/27. (real)

This life is based off of "Magical Doctor" by MARETU⚠️TW for people who want to watch that video for the song or listen to it⚠️The song contains sudden changes in music and lots of flashing lights, it says in the video but, it's still my responsibility to tell you. (IT GIVES THE WARNING AT THE END OF THE VIDEO LIKE WHAT??)

The year is 1200, I skip a few years every time I rebirth.

I wake up, I'm very comfortable in this new bed. About 6 pillows behind my head and a gazillion plushies, silky soft blankets and a canopy over my head, all of this is a creamy pink color, except for the plushies, which are all random animals. (a cutesy run-on) Hm, seems I'm a princess. (YEAH I ALWAYS COME TO CONCLUSIONS THAT QUICKLY MHM)

"Plebby~! Come down honey, it's time for dinner!" I'm guessing that's my mom. "Coming!"

I walk downstairs, this strange feeling of familiarity of this layout seeping through me. (I can tell I wrote that and thought "I'm so poetic...)

"Aww, my sweet daughter" Bingo, my mother. "Do you want the maids to fix up your hair?"

"After breakfast please."

"Understood!"

Waffles covered in powdered sugar with syrup drizzled perfectly on top dripping down the edges. (Fragment 🩷🎀) On top of the stack of about 5 waffles, there are 3 strawberries arranged in a certain way on top. (thanks for specifying willow you're a worse narrator than Ponyboy.) The plate the the side has 3 pieces of perfectly fried bacon.

This is strangely modernized for the year.I'm surprised at how good it is, this is so weird...About 5 minutes later I finished, I went up to my room and the maids got me ready. "Thank you."

"No need to thank us!"

I start walking towards the garden on the marble floor, all while the stained glass windows are projecting different colors onto my face and my vision.

I make it to the garden and I push open the door, I walked up to a bush and I examine all the roses. They all smell like a idealized perfume.

I spot something in the corner of my eye. A mushroom. A perfect one. With it's rounded top and the cream stem, the lines under the rounded top go all around and back to the stem. (another fragment) The imperfect circles are satisfying to look at as the sun glimmers onto the plant, making it seem glittery and shiny. I grab it and I pull it out of the ground, and I spin it around in my hand. I'm not sure what came over me but... I put it in my mouth and I start chewing...EVERYTHING IS RAINBOW. ITS ALL BLENDING TOGETHER... "AAAAAAHHHHH!" I SCREAM. THE MUSHROOM ENTERING MY STOMACH. (PLEASE IF I HAD A PENIS IT WOULD SHRIVEL UP AND RETRACT INTO MY BODY) I think I threw up. And I passed out. I open my eyes, the first thing I see, or I think I see is a picture saying the words "NAMIDA"

"SHE'S AWAKE AGAIN!!"A stampede came rushing towards me. My vision was super blurry and everything seemed rainbow. It all seemed like a dream. Just then, I heard my mom.

"I DON'T KNOW!!! I JUST HEARD A SCREAM AND FOUND HER LIKE THIS!" She sounded like she was crying."I-I"

"Yes honey?!"

"Mushroom..."

"Mushroom?!"

"I ate... Mushroom..."

"SHE ATE A MUSHROOM!!!"

...

"Ah. Can I do a few tests?"

"OF COURSE[,] ANYTHING!!!"And then, I blacked out.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

I shot awake. In a completely different setting, a soft white bed, everything else was glowing white. Is it a hospital? I'm so confused.

"Honey, please, can you swallow these pills?" (girl isn't it 1200 how the hell do you have pills you dumb butt — added later, pills were invented by thjs time, but I was visualizing modern pills. and I know that cause I [somewhat] rmr writing this)

"Mhm.."

Cold water entered my mouth and then 3 pills at once. I shivered, it was such cold water.

"Okay baby, go to sleep..." She ran her fingers through my hair, being gentle to miss the knots to not disturb my sleep. "Shhh... Shhh.." she whispers repeatedly to me, soon enough, it works.

"What do you mean they were the wrong pills. WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU!!!"

"Ma'am calm down, we can fix her."

"WITH THE WRONG PILLS?"

"It won't happen again."

They gave me the wrong pills. That's ok. That's fine.

[END]

......wow!!! Alright so, what in the world was that!!! 😊

moral of the story I'm never writing again

[cjracingpnf]

You've Never Stopped Giving Me Butterflies

A fun, sweet, and at times emotional Phinabella fanfic, filled with smiles, laughs, tears, teasing, memories, butterflies, and two people very much in love🧡💗

Set one day after Isabella's 19th Birthday! My original plan was for this to go up on Phinabella Day, but I've been busy and didn't have the time to finish it, so consider this a late Phinabella Day Gift.

Anyways, please enjoy, Carpe Diem!

_______________________

oh hi! :D

It's been a minute since my last fanfic, over 4 months in fact, but I am so very excited to be bringing this one to you! The primary idea came to me a couple of months ago, but took me about two weeks to get written the way I wanted to. I am so happy that I pushed forward, and I hope you will enjoy it! It's a bit of a long one-shot, but I felt that it made more sense being in one chapter.

Huge credits go to my dear friend Guy, for going above and beyond in editing and making sure this fanfic was absolutely perfect, and for taking time out of his busy schedule to do so. Many blessings to you man, and thank you so much bro! (P.S. Please go Subscribe to him on YouTube!)

https://youtube.com/@Parodyo7

Credits go to Cayla (DBL_MP1) as well, for beta reading the story and for always being an incredible inspiration to me every single day, thank you so much Sis! (P.S. Please go follow her on Instagram!)

https://www.instagram.com/db1_mp1

_____________________

Thank you for taking the time to read this story. I hope it brings a smile to your face, and if I can bring a small amount of happiness to you, it will be well worth it😁💙

God Bless, and Happy Reading!

Chris (CJ Racing)

P.S. If you would like, you can follow me on Instagram, I draw and write a variety of different things but primarily P&F based work!!

https://www.instagram.com/cjracingpnf

[dustedmagazine]

Listed: M. Sage

Colorado musician, artist and educator Matthew Sage produces a unique form of ambient music, one that focuses on personal experience rather than obscure intellectual objectives or new age mysticism. Through both his own sounds and those he curates via his Cached Media imprint his goal is to unearth the beauty within the seemingly mundane. With Paradise Crick, his latest and most fully formed release, he casts his gaze on the great outdoors, envisaging a camping excursion. In his review, Bryon Hayes found that the record was “his most visceral work, as he ornaments his typically ambient palette with an assortment of palpable shapes, colors, and textures.” In addition to making music, Sage also enjoys seeking it out, often from non-traditional sources. For this edition of Listed, he runs down some of the more interesting records that he picked up on recent thrift store diving excursions.

10 recent thrift store finds in no particular order — I hit the flea markets and thrift stores once or twice a month and get weird CDs and cassettes. I like buying stuff that I would otherwise listen to on streaming… or never listen to from these local companies. We have CD players in our vehicles and I listen to CDs a lot driving. Cassettes mainly happen in my office when I am writing or drawing. So… a lot of what I look for is sort of “functional music” that I can do stuff to. I also snag up favorites from bands I love… I found 3 Wilco CDs at one shop last week!

Anyway, here are some recent favs.

Bonnie “Prince” Billy — Master and Everyone

Found in Longmont at the thrift store with the curated CD selection. Long time BPB fan, and I especially like how subdued this one is. Maybe not my all-time fav Oldham out there, but it’s great and the CD is in great shape.

The New American Orchestra — Blade Runner Soundtrack

Found at one of the flea markets in Fort Collins. Maybe the one with the lavender? This is an orchestral adaptation of the original Vangelis score, and it is about as smooth jazz as it gets. Incredible sweeping melodies. This version of “Blade Runner Blues” feels like something hiding on “In a Silent Way.” Ambient jazz for sure.

Chet Baker — Let’s Get Lost

Another one from the Longmont spot. Been obsessed with Chet Baker for a while now in that when I don’t know what I want to listen to, I just throw on any Chet’s greatest hits album and feel content. I love the arrangement on “My Ideal” with the toy piano and Chet’s voice and trumpet.

John Coltrane — The Gentle Side of John Coltrane

Also from the Longmont spot. I, of course, love wailing Coltrane. But I also think his sweet songs are some of his best. “After the Rain” is especially informing some of the arrangement choices I’ve been making on some new Fuubutsushi songs.

Shanghai Film Symphony Orchestra — An Dun (Calming the Emotions)

I buy a lot of random CDs like this, and I can’t remember where exactly this one came from. But yeah, foreign/new age/private press, etc. weird CDs… and most of the time they aren’t great… but this one is very good. When I find something like this that I like I google it later. When I did that with this CD, I found it on YouTube and this is my favorite comment about it: “Whenever I play this on a construction site, at first the guys complain. Then later they thank me for playing it. Saying they've never felt better.” My toddler seems to enjoy it in the car… I do too.

Claude Debussy — Images pour Orchestre. Preludes: La Fille aux Cheveaux de Lin

70 minutes of Debussy from Longmont ARC. Lots of solo piano from Peter Schmalfuss. I like that these recordings feel soft. Sometimes classical piano feels really hard, lots of attack, almost like microscopic. These recordings are more spacious. Chris from Fuubutsushi swears by Ravel, but I am team-Debussy.

Georgia Kelly — Seapeace: Music for Harp

Can’t remember where but found this in Colorado in a stash of pretty heady new age tapes. Later found out it’s a cult classic. It is a self-released one — the album was later reissued on other formats by new age labels — so I love knowing Ms. Kelly herself released this copy into the world and it has since ended up in my possession. The whole thing is on YouTube!

English Meadow: Environments — Environments 1, 4, 12: Slow Ocean, English Meadow, Intonation

I have all the Environments titles on LP and have since started collecting cassettes when I see them in the wild. These 3 are specifically my favorite Environments, so finding them all in one go felt like a thrifting triumph. I feel like English Meadow specifically sounds nice on cassette.

[keefwho]

May 30 - 2024 Thursday

10:36pm

5/10

Last night I recorded a good morning voice message for DS because I felt like it. Doing small little things like that is important for me because usually I'd refrain in case its too silly or something. My prompt yesterday was "let your voice be heard" and I did, literally. Its a very small thing but the intent behind it is large.

This morning I took the dogs out and showered. I made a frozen breakfast sandwich for lunch but I cut up my own onions for it and applied some hot sauce. Usually I'd eat something with it to help it agree with my tummy but I figured I could without because I wanted to eat small meals today since I've been up a couple pounds. My body handled it okay it seems. I had watched a sorta beginner art course video that explained using large areas and then using ovals to define planes easily which is exactly what i've been doing on my own.

To warm up today, I filled in all the little space left on my sketch sheet with rough gestures. Then I finished a YCH edit, did a YCH for 57, and readied a couple commissions for next month.

After work I spent time before lunch contacting people, doing some chores, and tending to my patreon. It was a very productive hour. For lunch I made soup and a grilled cheese. I gave myself ample time to chill and take a break since I actually felt like I earned it. Unfortunately I didn't know what I wanted to chill with so I watched an unsatisfying stream. The guy I like watching lately has starting playing CS:GO and similar games which actually melt my brain to watch. It's soooooo boring.

I finished this Celestia AI redraw I was working on this afternoon and worked on this Zelda drawing I had on the backburner. I asked TK if she wanted to call but she wasn't up for it today so I joined BR's server vc even though it was empty. I really needed to socialize because so few people have been around lately in general. BT joined but he's kinda weird and info dumps about stuff. Also nearly pulled me into the drama he's in surrounding other server members that I know nothing about. I also worked on my pony avatar for an hour.

After work I left the VC to play Cities Skylines. I got a couple new mods that might be crashing the game so I think I'll remove them. Admittedly I barely planned on using them. I asked DS if she wanted to chill and we did. I played Cities for a bit until it crashed, trying to relax and just have fun instead of making it feel like a chore or exercise. I realize I should be opening google earth and looking up locations for inspiration. It usually makes it very fun but feels like "cheating" as stupid as that sounds. Its the kind of mindset I want to let go of for any game I play. Its just a GAME I am PLAYing. Anyways she put on the 4 current episodes of season 2 of Smiling Friends which was a blast. Then we watched highlights of Oneyplays roasting the Nostalgia Critic and I suggested we watch a video of his so I have better context of who he actually is. I've always heard about him but never watched him. Then we did our puzzles before she headed off to bed since she has to wake up extra early tomorrow. I looked back on our evening feeling bad that I was so mellow and uninteresting. Its because I don't have anything on my mind to talk about lately with anyone really. Like I haven't taken in any new information to use. Its also possible I'm not treating myself with enough respect to speak my mind. Maybe I'm just thinking about things I don't think are worth sharing. Or maybe it's okay to have nothing on my mind really so I can just enjoy whatever is happening.

I tried playing some Roblox but my internet was cutting out like 1 out of every 3 minutes. I joined BR's server where they were watching the old ninja turtles movie which they still are as I write this.

My parents got home today so I don't have to tend to the dogs anymore. I did very good work today which I'm proud of, I have no regrets about my work ethic today. I just hope I can get out of this social rut, I don't feel like Im building relationships at all.

[azureaqua]

Oh my, She did it again! (a.k.a Ikevamp artbreeder edits this time - Pt. 2)

Yup, here we go, Part 2! Let's resume!

↓

Part 1 here, if you missed it!

• Leonardo da Vinci

(I admit I was worried about him, when I started. I couldn't convert his avatar into a semi-realistic guy in my head immediately, so I was unsure. But I went with it, kind of mindlessly and just enjoyed the ride. And it worked! I think he got that mature, older-man look! A relaxed but piercing stare at the same time, and a laid-back expression! His hair is nothing like the game design but you know... I don't hate the extra curls. ;))

• Comte de Saint-Germain

(This is my take on him. It's not so good, not so bad, it's something... But I know I'll never be able to live down @redweed 's edit of him, that I saw once, it was utter perfection. He didn't even got the exact hair color, and its shape has a life of its own. Sorry, Comte. I went for and older, more mature look for him too, like Leo, since the dude's an ancient vampire, so might as well add some age to his gentlemanly features. Maybe his stare is a bit harsh? Not as welcoming and gentle, but a decent try from me!)

• Jean d'Arc

(Again, that one guy with the eyepatch. But this time I didn't struggle that much when drawing it on after. Yeah, I also edited his hair... The other picture is the actual portrait I achieved in artbreeder, minus the eye color. His hair was impossible to do - for me at least -, so I didn't even try. Like with Comte. I went more for the hair color, instead. It's decent, I like his blank and stone-faced stare. And I like how the hair and eyepatch drawing came out! He looks nice!)

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

(He was one of the first — IF NOT the first that I completed. I don't remember. His features overall seem a bit strange and a bit possessed, with this eye color. His hair is a tad bit longer than in the game, but I'm actually surprised and happy that I could keep the pure white and it doesn't fade into a grayish color midway, just at the neck area, where it's darker anyway, due to shadows and overlapping lol. I'm satisfied with it! He's a bit grumpy but isn't he always like that?)

• William Shakespeare

(I admit, I kind of forgot about him, and I realized in the last minute that he's missing. Sorry, Shakes. He was similar to Leonardo, couldn't really imagine him right away, but as I searched and just went with it, it came out nice in the end! I went for a gentle look and longer hair, but damn— this time his hair came out really long XD. It looks like he has a long ponytail that reaches his shoulders, and it's a big unhinged, but it's okay since Will is unhinged too, sometimes. Even his mismatched eyes look nice, I like him!)

• Vlad

(I REALLY wanted to go for that soft and pure smile he usually wears! But he also has strong features; a long, firm jaw and nicely curved mouth, so it took a while. But I achieved what I wanted! And in the end, his hair came out good too! By that time, I didn't even pay that much attention to hairstyles. But he looks decent nonetheless, in my opinion. I kind of messed up with his eye color, but nvm. He has that sweet, pure but adult-like, mature look at the same time.)

• Johann Georg Faust

(Okay, OKAY. Everyone calm down! Don't lose control, I know he looks really good! XD. No, but for real, I didn't even spent that much time on him — with editing on glasses and all. AND HE CAME OUT LIKE THIS. AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO'S IN LOVE?? Be my husband, Faust. I was interested in him so far too, but NOW. Although the shape of his glasses are kinda off, you can see the general idea. I drew on his ear cuff and the small chain attached to it, connecting it with his specs, and edited his eyes, but I didn't even need to touch his hair! He just looks sooo good. And his strict, ruthless expression is one to die for too!)

• Charles-Henri Sanson

(I wanted to make him soft, but not as soft as Vincent. And I wanted to add difference in his features too, of course. I unintentionally made his hair this curly, but it makes him cuter in my opinion. I wanted a semi-smiling, gentle expression on him. I didn't draw his earrings on, and his eyes don't pop as much as in the art. But he's precious, isn't he?)

Yay, another one of the Ikemen games is done!

(Now I need to make one for the Sengoku guys, right? Well, who knows, my page is pretty messed up now in artbreeder lol.)

Overall I'm really satisfied with the whole gang, they look really nice!

And the realistic filter helped them a lot! <3

[jae-daddy]

Duff (11)

im jaebum au series 

one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven / twelve masterlist

pairing: im jaebum x reader  genre: angst, mature, smut  plot: you are the duff and guys use you to get close to your best friend, heather, and turns out Jaebum is no exception, but as time goes on the tension between you and your best friend’s unofficial boyfriend grows a/n: it’s been a while, my bad. but the next chapter is going to spicyyyyyyyy. not edited, hope yall enjoy it <3 stay safe out there <3

Your jaw dropped as the driver drove through the gates and up the long driveway to Park Jinyoung’s mansion. You knew he was rich, but you didn’t know he was this rich. But even more than the vast wealth the Parks had, you were more taken by the decorations that started from the gate all the way up to the main entrance. 

You turned towards Jaebum who was watching you already. You felt the golden glow of the lights outside flow into the unlit car, and somehow you could see something glint in his dark eyes. 

“It’s so beautiful, isn’t it Mr Kim?” you looked out the window again, to see the sparkling lights making a rendition of Van Gough’s starry night. You smiled to yourself a bit, “It might be a bit cliche and basic, but starry night is my favourite piece of artwork.” 

The driver hummed in reply, saying something about taking a picture for his daughter.

Jaebum didn’t reply, and you didn’t mind. Him and you weren’t exactly on friendly speaking terms, well at least not in your books. 

Since that day in the office, Jaebum had tried to talk to you numerous of times, but you avoided him. You didn’t want to hear his empty apologies or empty excuses or empty flirty, or whatever meaningless, empty words he wanted to say to you because he was feeling bored. 

You didn’t even think he would pick you up today, but when you called up your driver, Jaebum had pulled up in his sleek black car. It was a moment that you seen in movies, where the male lead sees the female lead with her makeover for the first time, and he’s blown away. 

But Im Jaebum wasn’t blown away. He wasn’t even fazed, if anything he found you so unappealing that he couldn’t bear to look at you for more than two seconds without looking away in pain. 

Was he always such an asshole?

He probably was, but back then he was trying to charm you with his sweet words. Maybe, he was a sicko who liked girls who weren’t into him, and as soon as you showed him any interest he vanished into the night. 

The car stopped at the red carpet laid out at the entrance, and you began to check your outfit and lipstick for the last time before reaching for the door. Your hand was reaching for the handle when the door swung open, and a hand reached in for you. 

You placed your hand in theirs, and carefully got out of the car. 

You stepped out to find yourself chest to chest with Jaebum. His fingers gripping onto your fingers as you stared up at him. 

You cleared your throat and began taking a step away from him, when he reached out and pulled your body against his by your waist. Your hands laid flat against his chest, the black material feeling rich on your skin. HIs dark eyes drifted to your lips, before they looked away purposefully. 

You turned around to find the car driving off behind you that you were about to bump into. You looked up at Jaebum, your cheeks tainting pink, “Thanks.” 

“Watch where you’re going,” was all he replied, as he let you go. 

Your heart once again sank at the lack of endearment, but you ignored it and adjusted the dress before you began following Jaebum into the mansion. 

Jaebum was instantly surrounded by people. People lining up around him, trying to play it off as they waited for their turns for introductions. You were right next to Jaebum, introducing him to everyone. 

The first hour was spent just like that, making introductions and standing next to Jaebum and pretending like you were invisible. The other important people only gave you a passing glance before looking away, no one stared for too long. You weren’t worth their time. 

You didn’t mind though. 

You enjoyed the architecture of the building and the artworks hanging around the hall. This must have really been a castle at some point you concluded after an hour of staring at the walls. You wondered which kind of ruler lived here before, but you knew for certain whoever it was wasn’t a good person; no in power ever is. 

Jaebum and you had drifted away about fifteen minutes ago, but you kept an eye out for him. He was currently taking to Paul from work, so you thought he was in safe hands. You took another mini-sausage roll before washing it down with another glass of expensive champagne. 

You didn’t like that taste even though it was exquisite. All it did was remind you of the night Jinyoung engaged to that woman in front of you, after telling you he loved you a few hours ago. 

“I finally found you,” a deep voice spoke behind you. His voice fell over you like velvet, and you struggled to breath. 

You turned around, already annoyed, “What are you doing here, Jinyoung?”

“You’re casual and feisty today,” he chucked, moving to stand next to you. He picked up a mini-sausage and popped it into his mouth, before waving a hand around, “This is my party, incase you’ve forgotten, y/n.” 

You snorted, “How can I forget with this champagne? Tell me, was this your favourite before you chose her or did it happen after?” 

“Woah,” Jinyoung tried to take the glass from you, but you moved it out of his reach, “How many of those have you had?”

“None of your business,” you gave him a straight smile. “None of these people are drinking anything anyway. And I needed a drink, it’s just been so hard lately.” 

You leaned your head on his shoulder, but straightened your spine right away, “I’m not drunk, Jinyoung. I just don’t have the energy to fight or pretend, at least not with you, not tonight.” 

“I don’t know if that is a compliment or not,” Jinyoung clicked his tongue, playfully. “I kind of like it when you fight with me.” 

“God, you’re such a perv, Jinyoung,” you groaned, and he laughed. 

“Come on,” he said, holding out his hand and gesturing to the dance floor. “Dance with me?” 

“No, thanks.”

“Why not?” 

“Are you sure you want to dance with me?” You asked him, with a knowing look. “I know this is a party, but I am still just an assistant here. Are you sure your reputation won’t hurt from dancing with someone like me? I’m not made of money like you, Jinyoung.” 

“Beauty and wealth are both welcomed here, y/n,” Jinyoung took your hand in his, “And you have a wealth of beauty, my dear.” 

He brought your hand to his face, his lips brushing over your knuckles. 

“Oh, right,” you chuckled, your heart sinking slightly. “You think I am pretty.”

Your gaze went to Im Jaebum who didn’t spare you a single glance. Your eyes fell on the girl he was talking to, and you couldn’t help but notice how different she was to you. You couldn’t but notice how different Jaebum looked talking to her; kind and well-mannered. 

“I’ve always found you beautiful, y/n,” Jinyoung said, drawing your attention back to him. “That’s why I was drawn to you in the beginning, and when I got to know you... well, I guess that was the end of me.” 

You laughed lightly as you placed your hand on his shoulder, and the other in his hand. His hands rested on the curve of your clothed hip. 

“But today,” he smiled at you, “You looked absolutely gorgeous.”

“Don’t exaggerate, Jinyoung. If you were so taken by me,” you laughed, teasingly, giving him a look. You continued your words turning sour, “You would’ve chosen me.” 

“You know how things were back then, y/n,” Jinyoung sighed, he closed his eyes to take a deep breath. He opened them to stare into yours with so much emotion, you couldn’t breathe. 

“I looked for you, you know,” he spoke over the music. You couldn’t blink or breath as you stared at Jinyoung. His brows creased as if he was rethinking a painful event. “After I decided to end the engagement... after I broke it off, I looked for you. I searched for you, but I couldn’t find you anywhere.” 

“I- I went back home,” you whispered. You saw yourself laying in a pool of your vomit and urine, and your mother and father crying around your limp body. “I couldn’t stay here. Everyone was talking about you... it was too much.” 

“Y/n,” Jinyoung said, softly. You looked up to meet his gaze. “It’s nice to have you back. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” 

“Jinyoung-” 

“May I cut in?” 

“Always interrupting us, isn’t he, y/n?” 

You turned to find Jaebum glaring holes into Jinyoung’s head. 

“What if I say no?” Jinyoung pouted, teasingly. Jaebum sighed, his patience running thin. You looked around to see people already turning this way. 

“Stop it,” you gritted through your teeth at the both of the them, your lips holding a smile. “People are starting to look.” 

“I’ll dance with him for a bit,” you smiled at Jinyoung, “Thank you Jinyoung.” 

Jinyoung smiled back at you before giving you a cheeky wink. You chuckled watching him walk away. 

“You both seem closer than last time,” Jaebum said from behind you. You shrugged stepping closer to him placing a hand on his shoulder and the other in his hand. You were holding Jinyoung the same way a few moments ago, but somehow this felt different. 

The soft velvet of his jacket, the heat of his skin, the short hair tickling your fingertips at the nape of his neck. It was all somehow more intense, more intimate. 

Jaebum’s warm hands wrapped around yours as he took another step closer towards you. HIs other hand rested on your waist, pulling you in closer as it rested on the small of your back. His thumb caressed the exposed skin from your dress and you drew in a sharp breath. 

You didn’t say anything as you looked up at him. His dark eyes bore into yours, his lips drawn and tight. His jaw clenched and sharp, his black eyelashes gently fluttering across his cheekbones. 

He was beautiful. 

He was a sin in this all black suit made to precision for him. His hair was styled in-between completely swept back and lazy natural. His lips were rosy pink, and even without his lip-ring you wanted to taste them between your lips. 

You leaned closer to him. HIs thumb gently caressing your back, electricity dancing up your spine making your head spin. You welcomed his minty breath falling over your lips, as your eyes fell to his lips. And to his neck, watching as he swallowed nervously. Your gaze fluttered up to meet his eyes fixed on your face. 

You looked away from him feeling your cheeks flush, “Are you having a good time tonight, sir?” 

Jaebum only hummed in reply, his dark eyes still trained on you. 

Your eyes met his intense gaze for a moment before looking away instantly, “It’s a beautiful place, isn’t it?” 

“Yes, it is,” Jaebum said. You didn’t say anything more and bit your lip wondering if you should continue to dance with him or excuse yourself. 

You looked up at Jaebum, your hands letting go off him. 

Jaebum’s hand held yours tighter as he pulled you in closer by your waist. Your front was completely pressed against him now, and your body shivered as he leaned his lips close to your ear. 

You felt his warm breath caress the slope of your neck, and you closed your eyes letting the feeling sink deep within your bones. 

Jaebum drew his lips higher, his softness brushing against the shell of your ear as he whispered, “Thank you for everything, y/n.” 

You remained like that for a moment. Soaking in his presence, his heat, his touch, his breath, him somewhere deep inside your heart, and then you leaned back. 

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Mr Im,” you smiled up at him. 

Jaebum stared at you with an unreadable expression as his lips parted. 

“You must be glad you’ll be getting a proper secretary now,” you laughed, but there was no humour between you two. 

“I might not stay.”

“I know,” you nodded, “But if you do, I think it’ll be the biggest win for the company.”

Jaebum might be an asshole, a player; a complete fuckboy. But he was also hardworking, intelligent and gave his all into his work and accomplished a lot within the last three months you were working with him. 

“Loosing you is probably the biggest loss,” he said, pausing for a moment. “For me.” 

“I’m sure there are more qualified then me for this job.” 

“But I only want you, y/n.” 

You breath got caught at his words. Your wide eyes met his that stared at you as if you were the stars and the moon. As if once again you were presented to him as impossible puzzle, and he wanted to get lost in trying to solve you. 

He moved in closer, and lowered your gaze to avoid his heated ones. 

Jaebum lifted his hand from your waist. His fingertips brushed your cheeks with the slightest touch as he whispered, “You look beautiful, y/n.”

“Jaebum, stop it.” You began moving out of his arms, but he pulled you back in. His fingers digging into your waist as he held you steady in front of him. 

“Why?” His fevered breath fell over your face as you looked up at him. His eyes were wild with darkness, but it didn’t scare you. It only made you mad, so terribly horribly mad. 

“Why?” You spat, quietly. Your chest was heaving as you tried to control the anger that had been swelling inside you over the past month. 

“Don’t you think we’re past these little games of yours?” You sneered up at him. Your hand on his shoulder tightened as you tried to control yourself. “We already know I fell for it. Do you wanna see if I’ll fall for it again after being rejected once?” 

Jaebum didn’t say anything so you snorted. The sneer on your dark lips growing as you looked down your nose at him, “I won’t let you lead me on again, only to make a fool of me like that. I’m not going to play this sick game of yours.” 

Jaebum’s fingers bit harder into your waist making you gasp as he pulled you flush against him. HIs nose almost brushed against yours, as he breathed harshly, “A game? You think all of this was a game for me?” 

“What else could it be?” You snickered at him, both your hands flattening on his shoulder, trying to push him away with attracting any attention. But he wouldn’t budge a centimetre. You gritted through your teeth as you glared up at him, “Why else would you pretend to be into me? Play with me like that?”

Play with my feelings like that?

Jaebum’s hands rested on your exposed back as he held you steady against him. His jaw clenched, his eyes furious as he tried to control his breathing. 

“It wasn’t a game for me.” 

You ignored his words. 

“Then what was it?” You bit back. “You made it seem like you felt the same way only to reject me when I-”

“I didn’t reject you,” Jaebum cut you off. 

You began laughing mockingly, and Jaebum shook you slightly to make you look at him.  

You didn’t say anything and looked up at him, your lips parted in surprise. 

“Do you,” Jaebum whispered, leaning in closer to you as he leaned his forehead against yours. His eyes stirring golden as they stared into yours, his fingertips softly dancing on your back, causing fire to dance through your vines. “have any idea how crazy you make me, y/n?” 

Suddenly it was all too much. His touch, the way he was looking at you, the things he was saying. The lights shining down upon you two, the chattering of people around you. It all became to loud too much. Your heart beat loudly in your ear as you took a step away from him. 

Jaebum looked at you, expectantly. You stared him, unable to hear a single bought. The only thing you could hear was your heart beating thumping loudly in your ear. 

Your lips parted, you were going to say something. You weren’t sure what. Jaebum’s gaze fell to your lips, waiting for you to the say the words. You took another step back, not saying a single word. 

The smile on Jaebum’s lips dropped as your brows creased as a sudden panic before settling in your chest. You needed to get away.

“I-” you began. 

“Y/n!” You turned to saw a fury of red first, and then her smiling face as she jumped in front of you. “I didn’t know you were coming here.” 

Heather turned to Jaebum, placing a kiss on his cheek. His eyes remained on you, his face void of any emotions. 

Heather smiled at you, “Go away, JB. I won't let you steal my best friend.” 

// 

You were next to Heather the rest of the night, but your eyes still followed the man in the black suit. His sharp eyes met yours throughout the night, but every time you looked away. 

You were looking at him once again. There was something pleasant about his lips when he talked, and the way those whiskers appeared on his cheeks when he would smile or laugh brightly. You couldn’t look away from him no matter how hard you tried. 

You watched him talk to Park Jinyoung with a frown on his face, that deepened when Jinyoung looked your way and winked. His hard glaze travelled to you, as his lips drew into a straight line. 

You looked away once again, your cheeks on fire. 

“Are you okay?” Heather asked. You looked towards her to find her following your gaze to the pair of males. 

“Mhmm,” you nodded, taking a sip of the champagne.

You watched Heather take a sip too, but you noticed that knowing smile on her lips. 

This was all too dangerous.

[nerdzzone]

Luckless Romance

Summary: When Whitney Taylor was lucky enough to get the job of a lifetime doing a photoshoot for Marvel Studios, she didn’t expect to come away from the experience with a new friend. Especially not a friend that she quickly fell head over heels for.

Convinced that those feelings were completely one sided, she kept them to herself - until one night changed everything.

Chris Evans x OFC

18+

Prequel to: Once Bitten - Twice Shy + -More Hearts Than Mine-

Note: While this is set before the other two parts of this story, I would definitely recommend reading the other two first if you haven’t already. I know that might seem odd, but I do think it flows better that way. This is more of an aside than an introduction, I think, but it could just be that I wrote them in this order so that’s how it makes sense to me.

Anyway! Thank you to everyone who has been eagerly awaiting this part of their story. The support has been so motivating and I’m already working on more little snippets of their lives together that should hopefully be posted soon.

Please let me know what you think! 

_____

August 2015

Growing up in Los Angeles - especially with a rather well known uncle - I was very aware that celebrities were really just normal people who usually weren't deserving of the obsessive adoration they received from the general public.

That being said, it still felt very surreal when I found myself sitting around a table with some of Hollywood's biggest stars as we celebrated the end of a long and tiring photo shoot in which I was the photographer. Three weeks earlier, I had been slaving away at a department store portrait studio taking boring, uninspired family photos, so the contrast between that and where I was now - sharing drinks with the cast of Marvel's next big movie after wrapping my first real photography gig - would be enough to make anyone feel a tad awestruck.

It didn't help that it had all come together so quickly that I'd hardly had time to wrap my head around it. The photographer that they originally had lined up to do the shoot had some kind of family emergency and had to drop out at the last minute. They were going to postpone the shoot indefinitely, but my family connections with Iron Man provided another solution. My uncle Rob wasted no time in giving Marvel my name and portfolio and less than twenty-four hours later I was signing a contract for the biggest career opportunity I'd ever had.

I was endlessly grateful - the pay was far better than I was getting at the department store and there was plenty of potential for more Marvel related photo shoots in the future - but the pressure was nerve wracking. I'd hardly slept at all in the few days leading up to it and by the time we wrapped, I was exhausted. As the adrenaline faded and the relief that I survived kicked in, I was very much looking forward to crawling into my bed with a nice glass of wine to get a good night's sleep before I started the editing process the next day.

But there was no time for rest with this crowd and it was quickly decided that we were all going out for some kind of unofficial wrap party. The official one had been two weeks before when they'd finished filming in Georgia, but now that they were reunited in L.A., it seemed another celebration was necessary. I'd protested at first and tried to sneak off before they could realize I was gone, but my uncle thwarted my plan and, after a few minutes of heavy guilting about how long it had been since I'd spent any time with him, I reluctantly agreed.

Which was how I found myself sitting at a table in a private room of a popular bar with my uncle - Robert Downey Jr - my Aunt Susan, Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johannsen and Paul Rudd. There were other cast members and their friends dotted around the room, some sitting by the bar while others played pool, and I couldn't help but take a moment to be grateful that I'd been given a chance to join this team of incredibly talented people in some small way.

I was also taking a moment to be grateful that my placement in the booth we were sitting in gave me the opportunity to be sandwiched between the wall and Chris Evans - who smelt so good that it should probably be illegal.

There'd been a spark between us all day. He was attractive - I'd known that going in, it was a pretty beautiful cast - but seeing him in person with all his Captain America muscles was really quite a sight.

But it was more than just that.

There was something about the way he looked at me, flashing me those blush inducing smirks along side his teasing comments and the way he was so genuinely kind and polite to me throughout the whole day. I was sure that my uncle had warned them that this was my first high profile shoot, but Chris had been incredibly supportive and he never came across as condescending if he offered me any suggestions. He checked in with me throughout the day to make sure that I wasn't getting too overwhelmed and it was very much appreciated despite the fact that his effortless flirting often left me more distracted than productive.

Sitting next to him now, feeling his thigh pressed against mine due to the tight squeeze needed to fit our whole group around the table, had me very distracted again until my uncle dragged me back into the conversation.

"So, Whitney, how's Trent?"

His question, or more likely the displeasure in his voice when he asked it, captured the attention of the table and all eyes were on me as I shrugged.

"He's great as far as I know, but I haven't talked to him in a while," I admitted. "We broke up a couple of months ago."

"Thank god for that," Robert grinned. "It's about time!"

"Don't be insensitive," Susan scolded him, which probably would have been deserved if I didn't know how accurate of a statement it was. "Are you okay? What happened?"

"I think she means 'what horrible thing did he do that finally made you come to your senses'?"

Susan swatted at her husband, but I cringed at the memory.

"It was really bad. I don't even want to tell you."

His jaw tightened at that remark as his glee shifted to something more like concern.

"What did he do? Do I need to assemble my team of Avengers and kick his ass?"

I giggled at the thought of that happening as all the men around the table voiced their willingness to help.

"Thank you, but no, I'd rather you didn't," I assured them. "It wasn't anything horrific, it's just embarrassing that I ever went out with someone as sleezy as he was."

Chris glanced down at me with a smirk on his face.

"Well, in that case, you gotta tell us now..."

The rest of the group nodded in agreement and I, rather foolishly, looked at my uncle for support, but all I received was a shrug and a raise of his eyebrow as if to say 'go on'. So, against my better judgment and with a sigh of shame and regret, I explained.

"He took me out for drinks on my birthday and invited some woman that he met on Tinder to join us," I informed them. "Apparently, without my knowledge, he'd advertised that we were looking for someone to join us for a threesome that night which was his birthday gift to me."

There was a collective widening of eyes and, after approximately two seconds of stunned silence, a howl of laughter came from my uncle. The rest of the group, however, seemed unsure what to say until Paul spoke up.

"Well, was that was you asked for?"

"No!" I shrieked in protest. "I mean, to each their own, but no! Absolutely not!"

My uncle looked like he was about to cry from laughter as the rest of the group joined in with him. All except for Chris, who was biting back a smile with what seemed to be a considerable amount of effort.

"Guys, c'mon, don't laugh at that!" He scolded them. "That's horrible!"

"Oh, don't feel too bad for her," Robert warned him, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. "The guy took her to Hooters on their first date and she still agreed to see him again."

It was true and looking back, I had no way to justify such a poor choice. I felt my cheeks heat up as I took a long sip from the gin and tonic in front of me.

"Shut up," I huffed. "He said he just liked the wings there..."

"That's classic," Sebastian smirked. "That's what they all say!"

"Why did you even agree to go out with a man named Trent?" Anthony chimed in. "There's no way someone named Trent isn't going to be a douche bag."

Chris laughed then, throwing his head back as his hand came up to rest on his chest.

"That's true!" He howled and, as embarrassed as I was by the situation, I couldn't help but feel a different kind of flush at the sound of his heartfelt laugh.

"Okay, okay, that's enough," Susan chimed in despite the smile on her face as well. "It sounds like poor Whitney has learned her lesson so there's no need to make her feel any worse."

Robert shrugged and gave me a pointed look.

"As long as she promises to make better choices."

I appreciated that he had my best interest at heart, but I rolled my eyes anyway in a show of annoyance.

"Don't worry," I assured him. "I'm swearing off men for a while so there will be no choices made at all, good or bad, for the foreseeable future."

Susan frowned at that information, clearly displeased by my resignation to being alone, but luckily, a distraction arrived at our table and forced a change of subject - a distraction in the form of Jeremy Renner with a very full tray of shots.

Everyone cheered at the sight of him, but my uncle nudged me under the table to draw my attention back towards him.

"This is why I call him the Lord of the Underworld," he warned me. "Be careful..."

"Don't listen to him!" Jeremy insisted, handing out two shots to everyone except my aunt and uncle who weren't drinking. "I just know how to encourage everyone to have a good time."

"Does this group need any encouragement?"

Scarlett's question earned a laugh from the crowd, but Jeremy nodded his head.

"Apparently so or you wouldn't all be sitting in a corner, nursing your first drinks!" He pointed out. "So, drink up!"

He lifted a shot glass in the air and we all copied the action, giving a 'cheers' before tossing back the sharp tequila he'd chosen. The second shot went down almost immediately after and as I felt it burning down my throat, I knew we were in for quite a night.

-

"So, how are we going to do this?" Chris asked as we stood around a ping pong table with Anthony and Scarlett a bit later in the evening. "Girls against boys?"

"No way, man," Anthony shook his head, putting his arm around Scarlett's shoulders. "I want this one on my team."

"Ouch," Chris smirked. "But whatever, I was just trying to make it fair. If you want to play against the two best players then that's your choice."

"You literally met her today," Scarlett reminded him with a laugh. "How would you know what her ping pong skills are like?"

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but my uncle beat me to it as he chimed in from where he sat at a nearby table.

"She's terrible at almost every sport, but what she lacks in skill, she makes up for with competitive spirit."

"Terrible is harsh!"

My protest did nothing to reassure Chris though as he shook his head.

"Good thing I have enough skill for the both of us then."

"I have skills!" I insisted. "Let's stop messing around and I'll prove it."

Anthony joined in the laughter at my expense as he bounced the ball on the table.

"Alright, do we all know the rules?" He asked. "The ball has to bounce once on your side of the table before you can hit it back."

"First to ten?" Chris suggested. "We'll let you guys go first."

We all agreed and Anthony bounced the ball again as he prepared to serve. He started off slow and gentle, lobbing it over slowly enough that I returned it with no trouble. However, when Scarlett hit it back, Chris made it clear he was here to play as he hit it with enough force that Scarlett had to leap out of the way to avoid being hit.

"Yes!" I cheered, reaching over to high five Chris. "Nice one!"

"Okay, I see how it is," Anthony shook his head as he tossed the ball back to us for our serve. "No holding back now."

Chris smirked as he easily caught the ball. He didn't waste any time before throwing it back with a hard serve, but this time they were ready for it and Anthony hit it back easily. He aimed it at me, which I could only assume was deliberate due to my uncle's doubts of my abilities, but I managed to send it straight back. His surprise at my success was clear as he was unprepared for it to be heading back in his direction and we scored another point.

"Beginners luck!"

Robert's interjection from the sidelines earned him a rude gesture from me, but I knew he was probably right - unless the last couple of drinks had somehow sharpened my reflexes and I seriously doubted that as I was already well on my way past tipsy.

However, the next few rounds showed that my uncle had been wrong and I, apparently, had quite a knack for table tennis. Chris and I worked together like a dream and were absolutely decimating Scarlett and Anthony. The game was almost over as fast as it started, but when we only needed one more point Chris suddenly appeared to give up. He missed shot after shot and we were quickly losing our lead which was making me lose my temper.

"Dammit, Chris," I huffed, trying to suppress my annoyance as he missed a very easy ball. "Get it together over there!"

"Me?!" He gawked. "I thought you were going to get that one!"

"It was clearly on your side!"

"If that's what you think," he started as he picked up the ball and came back to the table. "Then you need to get your eyes tested, sweetheart."

"Don't 'sweetheart' me," I shot back. "Start paying more attention before you make us lose."

"Whatever you say," he smirked at me before adding: "Sweetheart."

I shot him a glare and - without thinking - I swatted his very hard to ignore, perfectly sculpted bum with my paddle. He yelped, catching the ball that he'd just thrown into the air with the intention of serving and stared at me wide-eyed. I was almost as surprised by the action as he was and I opened my mouth to apologize, but I was interrupted before I could.

"Careful there, Whitney," Sebastian warned from where he sat with my uncle at the spectator's table. "That's Marvel property!"

"They're very protective of it too," Anthony joked. "It's one of their best assets."

"Yeah, so show it some respect," Chris demanded, looking cocky despite the slight red tint to his cheeks. "And anyway, if you're trying to get me to focus then I don't think making me think about spanking is a great strategy."

"Ooh," I giggled. "Someone get me the number for TMZ! I've got tomorrow's headline ready for them: 'Chris Evans likes to be spanked'!"

Chris barked out a laugh, shaking his head as he gently served the ball.

"Who said I like to be the one receiving?"

My mouth went dry when I realized what he was implying and several uncalled fantasies flashed through my brain. With that short little sentence, images filled my mind of him using his large hands for something entirely different to what they were currently doing - something that perhaps involved bending me over his lap. I felt a wave of heat wash over me at that thought as my gaze was drawn to him while I wondered if he was aware of the effect that he had on me. I was so pathetically distracted that I didn't even see the ball coming back towards us until it hit me on the side of my head.

-

Despite my embarrassing blunder, Chris and I managed to get ourselves together quickly enough to still win the game and our victory was promptly celebrated by another round of drinks.

My aunt and uncle left not long after that as they were eager to get home to their young children, but my uncle couldn't go without a few parting words when I hugged them goodbye.

"Chris is a good man," he informed me. "I'm not sure what his stance is on threesomes, but he wouldn't take you to Hooters on a first date, that's for sure."

I could tell what he was implying, but I questioned him anyway. The only answer I could pull out of him was a teasing wink and Susan ushered him out the door with a roll of her eyes and firm instructions for me to call them soon.

I tried to push his comment from my mind because the thought of a man as handsome, funny and intelligent as Chris Evans even considering the idea of taking me on a date seemed like insanity, but I would have been lying if I said it didn't instill a tiny flicker of hope in me. I was fairly certain that he had been flirting with me so maybe it wasn't entirely as far-fetched as my low self-esteem would have me believe.

I tried not to dwell on his words too much through the rest of the evening, but it was hard to shake the idea from my mind. Especially with how tactile he was with me. Whether it was when we moved on to dancing and he pulled me close, whenever we were walking to the bar and kept his arm draped around my waist or when we eventually settled on a pair of bar stools, sitting close enough that my knees were tucked between his.

That was how we were sat, tucked together at the bar, when I finished another drink and realized that the fuzziness in my head and the weight of my eyelids were telling me that it was time to head home. I wasn't eager for the night to end, I wanted to stay in this little flirtatious bubble as long as possible, but I could feel the alcohol induced fatigue hitting me and I knew I needed to leave before I no longer had the energy.

"How are you getting home?" Chris asked when I announced my departure. "Do you want some company while you wait for a cab?"

"Oh, that's okay," I assured him as I slid off the bar stool I'd been sitting on. "I'm just gonna walk."

"Walk?" He raised an eyebrow. "Where do you live?"

"Only about twenty minutes away," I shrugged. "It's no big deal."

I was being purposely vague, but Chris' questions persisted until I finally confessed what neighbourhood I lived in. Once I did, a worried look clouded his face.

"Really? That's not a great area..."

"It's not that bad!" I insisted. "I mean, I'll definitely move once the photography thing picks up and I would appreciate if you don't tell my uncle, but it's not that bad."

"He doesn't know?" Chris raised an eyebrow, giving me a look that could only be interpreted as one of judgment. I nodded in answer to his question and he sighed, tossing back the last of the beer in front of him before standing up as well. "Just let me say goodbye and I'll walk with you."

"No, no, you don't have to do that! Stay with your friends."

"My Ma would kill me if she found out I let a woman walk home alone and I'm guessing Robert would have something to say about it too from what you just said," he insisted, flashing me one of his dazzling smiles. "Besides, I was gonna head out soon anyway."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded in response.

"Absolutely."

I felt bad that he was leaving because of me, but I had a feeling that any arguments would be futile. I followed him around the room, saying goodbye to the few people who were still at the bar before we headed outside. As soon as the fresh air hit me, I really felt the full affects of the several drinks I'd had throughout the night and I was quite grateful for Chris' company on my walk.

"Thanks for doing this. I'm sorry you had to leave early."

Chris had pulled his baseball hat lower on his head, probably in an attempt to hide his identity a bit more, but the people bustling in the streets were too oblivious or drunk to pay much attention.

"Don't worry about it," he smiled down at me. "It was time for me to go anyway. I've had enough wild nights with Renner to know that nothing good happens after midnight."

"Oh, I see how it is," I smirked. "I thought this was a chivalrous gesture, but it's just an act of self-preservation."

Chris laughed, a deep laugh that made my smirk slide into a grin, as he held out his arm for me to take which I happily did.

"Can't it be both?"

"I suppose. I guess you must be pretty chivalrous to take on a role like Captain America." As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt my cheeks heat up. "Sorry, that was dumb. I sound like some shitty interviewer. Like, 'tell me what aspects of the character you see in yourself'."

I'd put on a bad, faux news anchor voice for the last part of that sentence and I felt Chris' arm shake as he chuckled, but he shook his head.

"Nah, it's fine. It's a fair question," he assured me. "I think I've always been pretty chivalrous. I'm close with my mom and two sisters so they made sure I knew how to treat a lady. But that is one bonus of playing a character like Cap, he has such strong morals and such a steady sense of right and wrong, it inspires me to be as much like him as I can be."

Just as he finished his thought, I stumbled over an uneven part of the sidewalk and was only saved from face planting by his grip on my arm. I flushed with embarrassment again, but the alcohol in my system had me dissolving into giggles.

"Sorry, thank you. Wow, I'd say you really do have some Captain America traits." I flashed him a smile. "Was it like a lifelong dream for you? If you don't mind me asking, last question about it, I promise."

"You can ask all the questions you want," he shrugged and it seemed genuine, not just an expected assurance. "But no, it wasn't. I actually turned it down several times."

"Really? You did? Isn't a role like that every actor's dream?"

"Probably," he nodded. "But I did the Marvel thing with Fantastic Four and even that little taste of fame was almost too much for me. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do and I'm so grateful for all the opportunities I've been given, but it can be a lot to deal with."

"Those obsessive fangirls too much for you?"

"Sometimes," he admitted. " I was already having panic attacks, so I wasn't sure that I could handle taking that next step. But it's more just the total lack of privacy that comes with fame. Not just for me either, I knew it would affect my whole family."

"That makes sense," I nodded, knowing from my own experience that he was absolutely right. There'd been a few unfortunate incidents on slow news days where articles about 'Robert Downey Jr.'s niece' had popped up after some of my poorer choices in life. "Are you glad that you went for it now?"

"Absolutely! It was the best thing I've ever done. There are times when I still struggle, I don't do well at the premieres with all the pressure and the people, but the whole cast is like a family so the support is amazing."

"It's really sweet how close you guys all seem to be."

"It makes a big difference," Chris agreed as we turned off the main street in the direction of my neighbourhood. "But what about you? Have you always wanted to be a photographer?"

I paused for a moment as I tried to get my rather tipsy brain to figure out the simplest response to his question.

"Yes and no," I finally answered. "I've always loved photography, but I never really considered it as a career until about two years ago. I actually went to university to study accounting."

"Accounting? Wow, so you're a math wiz?"

"Hardly," I giggled. "It was what my dad wanted me to do to guarantee myself a solid career, but I hated it. I flunked out within a year. I'm not entirely sure that my dad has ever forgiven me for it, he was really disappointed in me."

"But surely he just wants you to be happy, whatever job you have..."

"You would think so," I shrugged. "Doesn't feel like it all the time though. He's very against the whole starving artist thing. He's not a bad person, but he's very practical and just can't understand how suffocating an office job would be for someone who likes to be creative. I get the impression that just being around me these days exasperates him."

I felt another blush cover my cheeks as I realized I was over-sharing. It could easily be blamed on the alcohol, but Chris was a good listener and I found him very easy to talk to.

"Sorry," I mumbled. "That was more information than you probably needed."

"You don't need to apologize so much," Chris assured me. "I wouldn't have asked the question if I didn't want to hear the answer."

"Sor-" I paused. "Bad habit, I guess."

Chris squeezed my arm and shot me a reassuring smile before getting our conversation back on track.

"So, what made you persevere with photography in the end?"

"I just really enjoy doing it. I love capturing those unexpected moments, like the awkward laughter in between poses, the moments when people have their guard down and don't realize how beautiful they look. Then, when I get to share the photos I've taken with people and they see themselves in a different way, the joy it brings them makes it worth any financial struggles." As I finished my explanation, a thought struck me. "I actually got some good ones today, just on my phone when you guys first came in, not doing the planned and posed stuff."

They'd all been so excited to see each other even though it was just a few short weeks since they'd wrapped the film. It was sweet and I hadn't been able to resist capturing their reunion.

"Really? Could I see them?"

"If you give me your phone number, I can send them to you," I smiled up at him. "That would actually be helpful. They're obviously different than the ones I took for the actual shoot, but you can tell me if they're any good or if you think I just got the job because of my connections."

I reached into my bag and handed my phone to Chris so he could type in his number which he did before shooting me a skeptical glance.

"Do you really think your connection to Robert is the only reason you got the job?"

"Well, it was all so last minute. I can't help, but assume it's a mix of desperation and some pulled strings," I admitted. "But I know this is my one shot. Robert really believes in people making their own way in life so if I totally blow this opportunity, I know he won't fight for them to have me back again and I wouldn't want him to."

We turned another corner, taking us just a few blocks from my apartment building as Chris answered.

"I'm sure he wouldn't have gotten you the job if there was any chance that he thought you would fail," Chris assured me. "But he is a good person to have in your corner. I probably wouldn't have taken the Captain America gig at all if it wasn't for him convincing me I could do it. He can be very persuasive."

I smiled at that information. I knew my uncle didn't like to take no for an answer so I could imagine how that conversation went.

"He can be very encouraging when he needs to be," I agreed. "Even if that encouragement sometimes comes out in the form of publicly shaming someone for their taste in men."

Chris let out another deep laugh and shook his head.

"C'mon, you gotta admit you deserved that."

"I did not!"

"He took you to Hooters and you didn't run away as fast as possible," Chris reminded me as if I could have forgotten such an embarrassing decision. "If that's not deserving of some public shaming then I don't know what is."

"Dating is hard these days," I huffed. "Maybe it would be easier if I had giant muscles like you, but it's hard to meet people."

"I think having muscles the size of mine would actually make you less hot."

I couldn't bite back the giggle that slipped from my lips as I looked up at him with a questioning raise of my eyebrows.

"Less hot?" I asked. "That would imply that you think I'm hot now."

"I do," Chris smirked confidently. "I think you're fuckin' gorgeous."

His words instantly made my cheeks heat up again. I'd baited him into the compliment, but I didn't expect his blunt and honest answer. I was stunned into a momentary silence that only made Chris' smirk grow wider until I giggled once again.

"You're just drunk."

"I am not," Chris chuckled. "Well, maybe a little, but that doesn't change the facts."

There was a grin on my face and I felt like a little schoolgirl with a crush. Chris Evans just called me gorgeous. Any woman who said they didn't swoon in that situation was probably lying.

"That's very sweet of you to say," I told him, trying to play it cool. "You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself."

Chris squeezed my arm again as he flashed me a smile.

My apartment building was in sight now, just half a block away, and I was disappointed that our evening was about to end.

I was comfortable with Chris. He was nice and easy to talk to and I'd had more fun and laughs with him in the last few hours than I'd had throughout most of my last relationship. But despite our harmless flirting, I knew he was too good for me. I knew that I didn't stand a chance with him and that when the alcohol wore off and the sun came up, he would see that. As much as I wasn't ready to say goodbye, I could hardly keep us walking in circles around the block without him noticing so I reluctantly slowed to a stop outside my building.

"This is me..."

Chris looked up and nodded slowly.

"It doesn't look so bad."

"Because it's not!" I insisted. "Honestly, this isn't that bad of a neighbourhood."

"Well, it's not that great either, Whitney."

Another giggle slipped from my lips as I pulled my keys out of my purse, reluctantly slipping my arm from his.

"Your accent makes my name sound funny," I teased. "You don't say Whitney, you say Win-ney."

Chris laughed, but shook his head.

"Now who's drunk."

"Oh, definitely me," I admitted. "But that doesn't mean I'm wrong."

"Okay, Winnie, whatever you say."

He said my name wrong on purpose that time, but there was something about it that put a smile on my face. Emboldened by the alcohol and by his flirtatious nature, I decided to take a chance.

"Do you want to come up for a bit?" I asked. "One last drink maybe?"

Chris hesitated, but after a moment of thought, he shook his head.

"Nah, I should probably get home. I think I've had enough drinks for tonight." His solid reasoning eased the blow of rejection slightly, but it still burned me up inside. "Thanks for the invite though, maybe I'll take you up on that offer another time."

"Sure," I nodded, hoping I was masking my disappointment. "That would be nice."

"Great," he grinned before pulling me into a hug. "It was nice to meet you, Winnie. I have a feeling that we're going to be good friends."

Friends.

Good friends.

His words echoed in my head as I agreed and slipped out of his grasp. We said our goodbyes, I thanked him for escorting me home and I watched as he walked back down the street before I went inside.

Friends. F-R-I-E-N-D-S.

At least he'd made himself clear and subtly let me down easy before I had chance to form any wrong ideas about what our relationship was or could be. It hurt and I would be lying if I said it didn't feel a bit like a stab in the heart, but I was glad that he'd put me in my place before I made a fool of myself by making a move.

I knew I'd been getting ahead of myself anyway. I knew he was way out of my league, but he'd called me gorgeous and walked me home. He'd even given me a nickname. Maybe I'm just easy to impress, but it felt like he was interested. I guess being a big star in Hollywood requires a certain level of charm though and he was probably just used to being naturally flirtatious with most of the women he encounters.

I sighed as I let myself into my apartment and tossed my bag on the table by the door. I'd felt like the luckiest girl in the world only moments earlier and now I was back to feeling like I was a romantic lost cause. I dragged myself through the motions of getting ready for bed and flopped down on top of the blankets - it was too hot to be under them and I didn't have the luxury of air conditioning.

Perhaps it was for the best that Chris declined my invitation to come upstairs, I thought to myself. This apartment was hardly up to Hollywood standards, it was hardly up to my own standards even if it was all that I could afford.

As my head laid on the pillow and my heart sat heavy in my chest, I told myself that it was fine. If Chris wanted to just be friends then I would be grateful that he even wanted that. I made a mental note to send him those pictures in the morning - because I'd promised to and not because I was curious to see what kind of response I would get when he was sober - and fell into a restless sleep filled with dreams of my new friend.

---

July 2016

And so, we were friends. Good friends, maybe even great friends.

I sent Chris the photos he’d asked for the day after we met and we spent most of that day messaging back and forth. Our friendship only grew from there and, whenever he was in town, we spent as much time together as we possibly could.

But we kept things very much friendly.

There was some flirtatious exchanges, but I respected his wishes and kept the feelings that I'd developed to myself.

My career really took off in the year after we met as well. That first Marvel photo shoot had gone incredibly well which led to several more contracts with them as well as other high profile jobs. It was a long, busy year, but I was grateful and relished in my success.

I'd even managed to move into a new apartment in a much nicer neighbourhood which felt like quite a big achievement and had finally silenced Chris' fretting about my safety. I moved in May, but our busy schedules kept him from seeing my upgraded home for himself until that summer, almost a year after we met. He was returning to L.A. from a trip home to Massachusetts and we hadn't seen each other in months so I was very eager for our reunion. Despite the fact that were still in constant communication, I'd missed him terribly and had been counting down the minutes until he would be arriving at my place.

"So," My friend's voiced echoed through my phone from where it sat on the bathroom counter while I finished curling my hair into beachy waves. "Are you going to finally make a move tonight?"

"No," I scoffed. "Of course not, Hannah. I've not seen him in a while now, I want us to have a good time. I don't want to make him uncomfortable and ruin everything."

"I will bet you a thousand dollars that it wouldn't ruin everything," she insisted. "Honestly, I will give you a thousand dollars if you make a move tonight and it goes badly."

I rolled my eyes as I finished the last curly wave and reached for my hairspray.

"You can't put a price on my friendship with Chris."

"Oh my god," she groaned. "He's told you that he thinks you're gorgeous, he makes time to hang out with you whenever he can and he texts you every single day. He treats you better than any boyfriend you've ever had. How can you think he doesn't have feelings for you?"

I took a moment to spray my hair and give myself one last look over before taking her off speaker and answering the question as I walked towards my kitchen.

"Because he straight up told me that he wants to be friends," I reminded her. "And he's never given me any other signs that he's interested in anything more."

"He doesn't need to give you any signs. When someone looks at you the way that he looks at you that says enough."

"Well, I'm going to need him to say a little more."

Another groan came through the phone as the buzzer to my apartment rang.

"You're impossible."

"I know, I know, and my lack of self-esteem will make me die alone," I said, repeating the words she'd told me a hundred times. "But he's here now, so you're going to have to save your criticisms for another time."

"Just tell him how you feel," she huffed. "I expect a full report in the morning."

The buzzer rang again as I agreed and said my goodbyes to my friend. I took a deep breath and a moment to push Hannah's words from my mind before pressing the button on the intercom.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Win, it's me! Let me up."

I pressed the button to unlock the door and felt my lips slide into a cheek aching grin just from the sound of his voice. It had been too long since we'd had a chance to hang out and I was very much looking forward to a nice evening together.

It took him barely a minute to get up to my apartment, knocking twice before letting himself in.

"Hey!" I grinned, rushing towards him as he held his arms open. I threw mine around him as soon as I was close enough and squeezed him tightly. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too," he smiled. "Nice place you got here, someone's doing well for themselves."

"Oh, please," I giggled, slipping out of his arms. "I've seen your house, Mr. Evans. This is a dump compared to where you live."

"Nah, this place is great!"

"It's definitely an improvement," I admitted as I led him towards the kitchen. "Would you like a drink? I bought that beer you like."

"You didn't have to do that. I would have been fine with whatever you have in," he chided me, but I waved him off and assured him it was fine. "What's the plan for tonight anyway?"

I shrugged as I opened the fridge to get a beer out for him and a bottle of wine for myself.

"I don't mind. Do you want to go out for drinks later or just stay here? It is a Saturday so everywhere around here will be packed with women in their early twenties if you'd like your ego stroked a bit."

I was referring to the last time we'd gone out and made the mistake of going to a bar that turned out to be pretty unfriendly to celebrities. A lot of places in L.A. made it easy for celebrities to go under the radar, but the place we'd gone to apparently wasn't one of them. There was a steady stream of beautiful young women trying their luck with Chris all night until we eventually fled and went back to his place just to give him some peace.

Chris laughed, clearly understanding what I was referencing, but he shook his head.

"Honestly? I'd prefer to stay in tonight," he admitted, but a smirk slid onto his face as he very obviously gave me a once over. "But you got all dressed up and it would be a shame to waste an outfit like that on a night in."

"Oh, this old thing?" I glanced down at the short black sundress I was wearing, a blush covering my cheeks from his compliment. "I just put this on in case we did decide to go out, but staying in sounds good to me. I'm well stocked with supplies."

I gestured to the wine and beer on the counter and the few bottles of hard liquor behind them.

"Then we'll stay in?"

"Sure," I nodded as a thought hit me and I gasped with excitement. "Oh, we can sit on my balcony! It over looks the park and I just got a new little couch for it."

"Very fancy," Chris laughed. "You really are doing well for yourself."

"Shut up," I rolled my eyes. "I don’t think Ikea patio furniture is a particularly high aspiration for anyone."

"Don't sell yourself short! You're finally getting recognition for your talent and that's worth celebrating."

I smiled as I led him through the living room and opened the door to my balcony with a flourish. The heat of July in California hit us immediately, but the balcony was shaded which made it a more reasonable temperature.

"This is nice," Chris nodded approvingly. "Well done, Winnie."

He sat on the couch and held his beer up towards me. I gently clinked my glass against it before sitting next to him. I thanked him once I was settled, hiding the width of my grin with my glass as I took a sip.

"So, how was Massachusetts?" I asked, curling my feet underneath me. "Do you have much more time off or are you back at it pretty quick?"

"I've actually got some time off," Chris informed me. "I think I'll probably spend most of it back home. It was great being there the last few weeks. It just feels better than L.A."

"Most places probably feel better than L.A.," I pointed out with a scoff. "This place is exhausting."

"You should come visit some time," Chris suggested before flashing me a smirk. "I feel bad leaving you here when I'm clearly your only friend."

"Excuse me, that is not true!" I protested, my jaw dropping at his insult as he chuckled at his own joke. "I have plenty of friends, thank you very much. All those liquor bottles on the counter are leftover from my very crowded house-warming party."

"Oh, no, Winnie," he laughed, his hand coming up to his chest. "Don't try and provide evidence that you have friends. That makes you seem even more pathetic."

"More pathetic than what? I have friends!"

"Imaginary ones don't count."

I couldn't help, but laugh at that insult as I shook my head.

"You're so rude. I don't know why I put up with you."

"Because you have no one else." He shot me a very over the top look of pity until I swatted his arm and he dissolved into laughter again. "Okay, okay, I'll stop. Seriously though, you should come out to Massachusetts sometime. I'll show you around."

"That would be fun," I agreed. "I'm pretty busy with work over the summer, but I think I'm in New York for a shoot in September. I could maybe tie a trip in with that if you're still out there."

"I should be if nothing else comes up," Chris nodded. "And fall is a great time to come. It's gorgeous."

"I bet. It would be nice to experience a season instead of just this sweltering L.A. heat all the time."

I made a face to emphasize my point as I sipped my drink and Chris eyed me suspiciously.

"I can't help, but get the impression that you're not loving it here at the moment..."

"I don't know," I shrugged. "Not really. I thought moving into a better apartment would help, but I'm just kinda tired of it, I guess."

"It can be draining here," he nodded. "Have you thought about moving somewhere else?"

I sighed and shook my head.

"Not really. I'd miss my family too much. I'd have to have a good reason, I think, or know someone wherever I was going."

"Well, you'll always know someone in Massachusetts," he smiled. "And my Ma would love you. I'm sure she'd take you in right away."

"Awe, Mama Evans. I'd love to meet her...Mostly so I could demand an apology for her part in raising such a horrible man."

Chris threw his head back with another chest grab worthy laugh.

"Oh man, I know. My brother is pretty awful."

I snorted a laugh at his comeback, but shook my head.

"Scott was delightful the few times I met him," I informed him. "I was clearly talking about you."

"Me?!" He gasped dramatically. "What are you talking about? I'm a total gentleman."

"Imaginary friends don't count," I repeated his words back to him in a very bad impression of his deep voice and Boston accent. "Yeah, you're such a gentleman."

"It's called a joke, Winnie," he teased. "Try having a sense of humour."

I stuck my tongue out at him in response, but I had to admit that the teasing was nice. I really had missed him while he was away and I was relieved that we fell back together so naturally that it was like we'd never been apart.

-

Our conversation continued to flow well into the night and so did our drinks. A few hours later and several alcoholic beverages down, the temperature was starting to drop a bit as the sun set, but our conversation was just starting to heat up.

"So," Chris turned to me with a smirk as he sipped the tequila sunrise I'd just made for him. He'd sworn he wouldn't like it, that it would be too sweet, but apparently he was too tipsy to really care. "How's your love life these days? Any more trips to Hooters?"

I snorted a laugh as I shook my head.

"I need more alcohol if we're going to delve into my love life."

Mostly because the biggest detriment to my romantic life was currently sitting on the couch with me, but I wasn't going to volunteer that information. Chris nudged the bottom of the glass in my hand, gently enough not to spill any but firmly enough to lift it slightly.

"Drink up then because I'm curious. Especially after a statement like that."

The irony of someone who was very vocal about how much they hated being constantly interrogated and harassed about their love life trying to do that exact thing to me wasn't lost on me, but I knew he'd keep pestering me until I opened up. I did as Chris suggested and took a large swig of my drink before answering him.

"No, there hasn't been any more dates at Hooters lately," I assured him. "But I did go on a date last week that was disappointing in it's own way."

Chris raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? How so?"

"He turned out to be a Robert Downey Jr. fanboy," I admitted, rolling my eyes as Chris let out a laugh. "It was going well until I made the mistake of mentioning that he's my uncle. He wouldn't shut up about him - stop laughing! - It was awful. Honestly, he went on and on! I eventually asked him if he'd rather be on a date with my uncle than me."

"And what did he say?"

I scowled at the memory.

"He said yes and asked for his number." That admission drew another howl of laughter from Chris and I couldn't help, but giggle along with him despite my shaking head. "Honestly, Chris, it's not funny. I have the worst luck."

"You have the worst taste in men." He corrected and I wondered briefly if he'd be less confident in that statement if he knew that he was my taste, even more so when he continued. "You're only interested in the douchey guys and then you're always shocked when they act like assholes."

"That is so not true!" I protested. "How am I supposed to know they're going to be douche bags? We talk for like two days on a dating app before we meet up and they always seem normal!"

"What was this one's job?"

I cringed and took another big swig of my drink.

"A club promoter."

"Exactly!" Chris groaned. "And hadn't the one before him quit his job to try and get famous on YouTube?"

"Instagram," I corrected. "But, so what? I struggled for a long time before my career went anywhere. You can't judge people by something like that."

"For the most part, I agree with you," Chris nodded. "But there are some careers that only attract a certain kind of person."

I huffed at his logic, but there was some truth to what he was saying.

"Dating is just hard these days," I insisted. "Besides, from what I've seen online lately, you're one to talk about messy relationships."

Now it was Chris' turn to take a gulp of the drink in his hand as he raised an eyebrow at my claim.

"Everything you read about me is bullshit, you know that. I haven't dated anyone lately, people just like to make things up."

"Oh, what I was reading the other day wasn't really about who you were dating."

That got his attention as he shot me a surprised look.

"What was it about then?"

"I thought it was all bullshit?" I smirked. "Does it matter what it was if it's not true?"

Chris shrugged.

"Even if it's not true, I like to know what people are saying about me."

"And you don't have a team to provide you with that information?"

"I do," he nodded. "But they don't tell me everything so I'd love to know what you read."

I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling shy about disclosing what I'd seen. I took a moment to figure out how to say it before telling him.

"I stumbled across an article that claimed an anonymous source, who recently spent the night with you, told them that you are not particularly skilled at going down on a woman."

Chris' jaw dropped and I couldn't help, but laugh again at the outrage on his face.

"That's fuckin' bullshit!" He protested. "Why would anyone believe an anonymous source? It's obviously not true! Why would they even write that?"

I smirked again as I tried to hold back the laughter bubbling up inside me. Of course, I didn't believe an anonymous source and I felt bad for Chris that mean rumours like that were being spread around the internet, but that didn't mean I wasn't going to tease him about it anyway.

"I don't know. She must have had some kind of proof, they wouldn't have published it without fact checking."

"They absolutely would!" Chris laughed incredulously. "They publish anything that gets clicks!"

I shrugged and tried to stifle the giggles still fighting to come out.

"It seemed pretty believable to me. I'm not trying to be mean, but maybe just take the criticism and use it to grow."

"I don't need to use it to grow!" He insisted. "I have plenty of skills in that area, I've never had any complaints."

"Until now."

"It's not true!"

"Unfortunately, I'll never know..."

I froze, hearing my words echo through my head as Chris' eyes widened in surprise for a brief moment before a twinkle appeared. It was a simple statement, but we both picked up on what it implied, especially with the hint of intrigue, almost challenge, in my voice.

Chris tossed back the last of his drink and then shifted, sitting up a bit straighter as the look of annoyance on his face had changed into something almost cocky. I took a sip of my own drink, hoping to drown the nerves that were bubbling in my stomach as the cool evening breeze suddenly did nothing to ease the heat that surrounded us.

"Well, how am I suppose to prove it to you?"

He moved his hand until it was resting on my knee and I had to stifle a gasp at the sensation. We were fairly affectionate and much more touchy with each other than many friends were, but this felt different. There was a tension between us now and I swallowed hard, not wanting the alcohol in my system to make me misinterpret anything.

"I don't know." I bit my lip as he stared me down, a smirk back on his face now. "Why don't you de-describe it?"

Demonstrate.

Demonstrate was the word that I was looking for, the word that was on the tip of my tongue.

Describe was not quite as flirtatious. It was like I'd just set him some kind of essay assignment. I cringed, but Chris was unfazed as he chuckled and nodded his head.

"Alright," he shrugged. "Where should I start?"

Before I even had time to answer, he began his explanation.

His voice was low as he spoke, sparing no detail. He described every kiss, every touch and every little tease. By the time he was describing how much he liked to watch whoever was he was pleasuring, looking up from where his face was buried to see her orgasm roll through her body, I was almost shamelessly panting. His hand was still on my leg, stroking higher and higher on my thigh and I felt more aroused from his words than I had from the last few sexual encounters that I'd had.

He was watching me when he finished speaking, a smirk on his face and his eyes narrowed in a seductive stare as I took a shaky breath.

It was now or never.

Tossing back the last of my drink, I put my glass on the table. Then, I took the glass in his hand and did the same.

He was watching me the whole time, meeting my eyes as I sat back on the couch. My mind was running a mile a minute as the gravity of the situation hit me, but I tried to push all thoughts of doubt from my head as I bit my bottom lip in anticipation. His eyes flicked down to watch the movement and that was all the confirmation I needed.

I darted forward fast enough that I wouldn't have time to change my mind and pressed my lips against his.

There was a brief moment when he froze. I felt his hand tense on my thigh and his body seemed more rigid than it had moments ago, but he recovered quickly and a low growl came from his throat before his hands moved to my waist and effortlessly lifted me into his lap.

I gasped at the movement, momentarily taking my lips away from his, but before I could even mumble out any comments on his strength, he'd pressed our lips together again.

It was a sloppy kiss. Spurred on by our mounting tension and the panic bubbling inside me that any minute now he would change his mind and push me away in disgust, our movements were frantic and desperate. My hands slid around his neck, one moving up to the back of his head as if I needed to hold him in place, but his fingers digging into my waist made me think that he was having the same thought.

Eventually though, the need for air forced us apart and I rested my forehead against his as we fought to catch our breath. The pause in our actions gave my brain time to catch up to my body and I immediately felt the nerves kick in.

Logically, I knew we should slow things down and talk about what this meant. My feelings for Chris went deeper than a drunken hook up and I was setting myself up for heartbreak if he wasn't on the same page. However, there was a more impulsive part of my brain that didn't care. I'd wanted this for so long, surely I deserved a chance to just enjoy it.

As if Chris could read my mind, his deep voice cut through my thoughts.

"Are we really doing this?"

I bit my lip, knowing this was the time to voice any concerns that I had, but as I stared into his eyes, I couldn't make myself jeopardize the moment.

"Yes," I nodded. "I'm in if you are?"

A smirk slid onto Chris' face as he nodded as well.

"I've been waiting almost a whole fuckin' year for this," he admitted. "I'm absolutely in."

I felt my heart flutter at his confession. If he'd been waiting for this as long as I had then that must have meant that we were on the same page. No one waits that long for a meaningless fuck, he would have made a move by now if there wasn't more to it.

In an effort to silence my overactive brain, I pressed my lips back against his which proved to be the perfect distraction. All worries and cares slipped from my mind as his tongue slipped back into my mouth and his hands drifted down to cup my ass. I could practically feel them burning through my thin dress and as they squeezed slightly, pressing my hips closer towards his, I could tell that my panties were already much damper than was probably reasonable.

But the anticipation was practically killing me.

My body felt like it was on fire as every brush of his tongue, every caress of my skin, every sigh that fell from his lips against my mouth, had me writing against him like a cat in heat. Often, when I'd imagined what this moment would be like, I'd assumed it would be slow - we'd take our time and savour every touch - but I hadn't factored in just how desperate we'd both be or how quickly I would be filled with the absolute need for there to be less layers of fabric between us.

Chris sucked in a deep breath as his lips moved from mine, sliding lower to kiss along my jaw. I could feel a bulge growing between us, telling me that he was as overeager as I was so, as shivers tingled down my spine from the trail his mouth was taking, I fought through the distractions to speak.

"Chris," I panted. "Let's go inside."

His lips paused their movement as he nuzzled into my neck.

"Not much of an exhibitionist?"

"Not on the first date."

My words were teasing and a shrug of my shoulders accompanied my response, earning a chuckle from Chris.

"Alright, that's fair."

I nudged his head away from my skin so I could press another soft kiss to his lips.

My intention was to then climb off of his lap and lead him into my apartment, but he had other ideas as his hands slid under my thighs and his grip tightened. With one smooth motion and an impressive show of strength, he stood from the couch and lifted me up with him. I gasped and rushed to wrap my legs around his waist for stability, but the smirk on his face and the bulge of his bicep told me that it probably wasn't necessary. He was incredibly strong and it sent another flush of arousal through me at the thought of the beautifully sculpted physique under his clothes.

"Are you bulking up for Cap again?"

I mumbled the words in an attempt to keep my mind busy and stop myself before I started rubbing myself against his stomach. With the way my legs were positioned there was merely a shirt and my panties between us and it was entirely too tempting.

"Nah, got a month or two before that starts again," he informed me, quirking an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

I pointed him towards the door of my bedroom before answering as I tried to keep the shock out of my voice.

"So, you're like, always this strong?"

Chris chuckled slightly as he kicked my bedroom door open.

"Well, I'm no club promoter," he teased. "But I do tend to stay at a certain level of fitness for when the job does require it."

My jaw dropped at his audacity to bring that up again at a moment like this, but I couldn't stop the snort of laughter that slipped out.

"Shut up," I demanded, letting my thumb stroke against the soft skin on the back of his neck. "Before I come to my senses and ask you to leave."

Now it was Chris' turn to laugh as he gently tossed me onto the bed before crawling over me like a lion stalking it's prey.

"C'mon," he smirked as he hovered over me. "I think we both know that the last thing you want me to do right now is leave."

With that, he pressed his lips back against mine before I had chance to argue. Not that I would have, because he was absolutely right. There was a long list of things I wanted him to do, but leaving was not one of them. In fact, as I let my arms slid over his toned shoulders, I pulled him even closer.

I couldn't get enough of him. I wanted to hear every little grunt and moan, I wanted to feel every inch of his body against mine, I wanted to see his muscles quiver and twitch with pleasure, I wanted him inside me and we'd barely even started. A year of waiting would make anyone desperate and, as much as I was revelling in his talented mouth as it moved against my own, I was eager to see what else he could do with it.

Sliding my hands down along his back, I ran them over his waist until they were at the hem of his shirt and, in an attempt to move things along, I slid them back up over his stomach, bringing his shirt with them. I paused, taking a moment to trace over his abs and he chuckled, moving his lips down to nuzzle them into my neck.

"That tickles," he mumbled against my skin as I smiled.

"Sorry, I'm just trying to wrap my head around the fact that these muscles are real."

"They are," he smiled up at me. "Are you impressed?"

"Maybe a little," I admitted with a smile of my own. "I'll be more impressed if you get these clothes out of the way and let me admire you properly."

He chuckled again, but didn't fight as I pulled his shirt over his head. The light in the room was dim and the way we were positioned didn't give me an optimal view, but what I could see was enough to draw a soft gasp from my lips.

I'd seen him shirtless and in even less from a few sneaky Google searches and watching his old movies, but seeing it all right in front of me was quite a treat. I had to double check that I wasn't drooling at the sight as I openly stared, my mouth slightly agape.

I realized I was probably ogling him a little too long when a faint blush covered his cheeks and he ducked his head back against my neck. He placed another soft kiss against my skin before he spoke.

"Now, it's your turn."

"Okay," I agreed, swallowing hard. "But just keep in mind that I don't look like that."

I ran my hands up and down his sides to emphasize what I was referring to and I felt more than heard him chuckle as he peered up at me once more.

"I'd be disappointed if we had the same upper body," he teased. "I mean, if I'm being honest."

I rolled my eyes despite the smile on my face.

"You know what I mean," I insisted. "I'm not sculpted by the Gods like you are."

His head fell back against my shoulder as he shook with laughter before shaking his head.

"You have nothing to worry about," he assured me. "You're too hard on yourself. You're fuckin' gorgeous."

His words took me back to the first night we met as the sincerity in his voice was the same as it had been back then. And there was something about the confidence with which he spoke that had me believing him.

So, as his hands slid under my dress - teasing the outside of my thighs in a way that had me biting my lip to force back a moan - I pushed any negative thoughts or doubts about myself from my mind. I even felt a hint of pride when my dress was discarded, exposing my lack of bra, and making Chris' eyes darken as they scoured over my body.

"Fuck, Winnie," he groaned as he soaked in the sight of my exposed chest. "You're beautiful."

I felt my heart flutter at the genuine awe in his voice and at his word choice. Gorgeous, hot, sexy - those are all compliments I would have loved to receive from him, but beautiful. It seemed deeper, more romantic. There was a brief reminder from the voice in my head that perhaps the importance of such a simple word was a signal I shouldn't be moving forward with this without having a very serious conversation about feelings first, but I was quick to ignore it as I pulled Chris back to my lips.

It seemed he was as desperate to move things along as I was though as his mouth didn't linger against mine for very long before it was trailing a path down my neck. He paused when he got to my chest, letting out a groan as he nuzzled the skin before sucking it just hard enough to leave a faint mark when he moved back. The sight had me squirming beneath him and he shot me a smirk before moving his lips to my nipple.

Gasping at the sensation, I arched up towards him as he continued to nip and tease me. If his current actions were anything to go by then whoever wrote the article that I read was very sorely mistaken. He appeared to be incredibly talented with his mouth and by the time he moved away from my nipple to continue his path down my body, my chest was heaving and I was sure that I was just one gentle touch away from my peak.

However, I was disappointed when he got to the top of my panties and, after licking along the skin of my lower stomach, pushed himself up and moved off of me to stand at the foot of my bed. I whined in protest, wanting him as close to me as possible, but all I got was a smirk in response.

"Patience," he mumbled as he unbuttoned his jeans.

I wanted to pout, to argue that I'd been patient enough in the last year, but any complaints died on my tongue as he pushed his jeans to the floor. As he stood in front of me, only in his underwear, my sense of urgency was replaced by an appreciation for the chance to admire his chiselled body. I propped myself up on my elbows to get a better view and he chuckled at the look of wonder that I was sure was on my face.

His underwear was the next thing to go and the anticipation turned quickly to shock as my jaw dropped at what he revealed. I could have assumed from the large bulge that he was quite well-endowed, but seeing it confirmed sent a whole new flush of arousal through me. I mumbled out a 'wow' as I bit my lip and tried to take it all in - he truly was a gorgeous man.

"Like what you see?"

His question snapped me out of my daze as he knelt back down on the end of the bed.

"Very much so," I nodded, desperate to feel his body over mine once again. "Come back up here."

"No," Chris grinned as he ducked down to place a kiss on my ankle. "Not yet."

Again, part of me wanted to argue and demand that he return his mouth to mine and get things moving, but before I could even open my mouth, he made his intentions clear - by tracing his fingers up my leg with his lips close behind.

I was quivering under his touch, still leaning up on my elbows when he reached the edge of the panties I was wearing. He glanced up at me as he licked along the lace before he bit into the material and tugged. I lifted my hips to ease his struggle as he yanked my panties down my legs with his teeth. The sight of it had me squeezing my thighs together, desperate for any kind of friction, but as soon as my underwear joined the rest of our clothes on the floor, he was quick to pull my legs apart again.

"Keep 'em open for me," he demanded, that damn smirk still firmly on his face. "I've got something to prove."

I giggled at that statement, but did as he asked. I was still watching his movements, until he dipped his head forehead and pressed his lips against me. That first moment of contact was enough to have my head flopping back against the pillows as my hands shot down to grip his hair. I was vaguely aware of him mumbling something about how wet I was, but my brain was too busy trying to process the pleasure he was giving me to take in his words.

He wasted no time demonstrating everything that he'd described to me earlier that night. His tongue was focused and precise in its movements and, contrary to what I read, he clearly knew what he was doing as he easily narrowed in on my clit. It wasn't enough though. I needed more pressure, more friction, and I pushed up towards him with a moan on my lips to urge him on. He wasn't having any of that as his hands looped under my thighs to settle on my hips, holding me in place, but he increased the pressure as he apparently understood what I needed despite my lack of ability to verbalize it.

I immediately felt a familiar feeling starting to build.

He sucked and licked with an urgency that I very much appreciated, flicking his tongue in just the right spot at just the right speed to have me trembling beneath him. I managed to gasp out a warning 'oh god' as my hands gripped his hair even tighter and I fell apart into a puddle of whimpers and moans. My orgasm hit me more fiercely than I'd imagined in my wildest fantasies of this moment and I arched up against him, his name pouring from my lips like a chant as he continued his efforts with a low groan of his own only adding to my pleasure.

As my breathing started to slow, Chris gently ceased his movements and moved his head back before resting his chin on my thigh. He cocked an eyebrow as he looked up at me.

"Well?"

"I'm going to write my own article," I told him, feeling that wonderful post peak bliss wash over me. "Because someone was obviously very misinformed."

Chris chuckled before pulling his hands from my hips to plant them on the bed and drag himself back over me.

"I'm glad I exceeded expectations."

"Mhmm," I hummed in agreement as his lips hovered above mine. "Now, let's see what else you can do."

Chris flashed me a smile and kissed me briefly before leaning back just enough to reach down and take his cock in his hand. Another moan fell from my lips as he rubbed it against me for a moment before nudging against my entrance and finally pressing inside. He moved slowly, but even so, I winced at the sensation. The slight burn as I stretched around him felt good but there was an undeniable ache as well. Sensing my hesitation, Chris paused and dropped his head for another soft kiss. I waited a moment, until the initial spark of discomfort had passed before pressing my hips up towards him.

He took the hint and continued his slow, almost torturous, movement until he was fully inside. The burning pain returned as it felt like he was taking up every inch of space I had to offer, but it felt incredible.

"Fuck," he breathed against my neck where his head had settled again. "You're tight..."

He shifted his hips pulling another gasp from my lips.

"Only because you're huge."

I felt a puff of laughter before he nipped at my shoulder.

"Thank you."

I would have smacked him for his cocky tone, but he moved then and suddenly my mind was blank of anything other than how good it felt. His movements were slow at first, every thrust dragging every inch of him against every nerve inside me, but his restraint quickly waned as his pace increased.

I let out a moan as my head fell back against the pillows and I hitched my leg higher on his hip. He moved his hand to the back of my thigh to hold it in place as he built a steady rhythm that had us both panting as I fought to match his thrusts. My fingers dug into his shoulders as his short beard rubbed against my skin.

The sensations were overwhelming. It was like he was completely encompassing me, smothering all of my senses and I could feel the pressure building again in the pit of my stomach in a way that it all felt like too much, but not enough all at the same time. I clenched around him, earning a groan of approval from Chris as I swore I could feel him twitch inside me. The pleasure was building quickly and his thrusts got sloppier and more frantic until suddenly he pulled out of me completely.

I felt empty and immediately wanted him back inside of me, my disappointment only growing as he pushed himself up to kneel back on his heels. The only compensation was how good he looked, muscles tight and his cock hard, practically throbbing and shiny from my being drenched in my wetness.

"Turn over," he instructed, his raspy voice bringing me back to the task at hand.

It took a moment for me to process his words, but I giggled as soon as I did.

"What?" He asked, a smile on his face.

"Nothing," I laughed again as I pushed myself up to do as he asked. "You just really are 'clearly' an ass man."

A look of realization crossed his face as he cringed slightly, his hand pausing from where he had reached down to stroke himself. I settled on my knees with my back to him as he answered.

"You heard about that?"

He was referring to the comments that he made on Anna Faris' podcast and I nodded my head.

"Everyone heard about that," I teased.

He chuckled, but didn't deny it as I leaned forward to rest on my hands. The wetness between my legs felt cool from the air in the room and I suddenly felt very exposed, knowing what the view must look like from his position. Again, my worries were brief though as his hands settled on my ass, kneading and squeezing as he let out a low groan.

"With an ass like this though, can you blame me?" He asked, sliding the fingers of one hand down towards the part of me that was practically throbbing with need. My head fell forward as he gently brushed over my clit before sinking two fingers inside me. It wasn't enough, not after the stretch of his cock, but he moved them with almost criminal precision against a spot that made me tense as I moaned with pleasure. "You've been drivin' me wild ever since that night we met. Those black jeans were so tight, it was like you were poured into 'em."

His words were muttered low and quiet and as much as I appreciated the compliment, I was such a puddle of mush from the movement of his fingers that I couldn't string together a sentence in response. He kept talking, whispering words of encouragement and adoration and it only added to my pleasure, but it wasn't until his thumb pressed against my clit that I felt myself start to bubble over. With a cry that I hoped served as a warning of my impending climax, I arched my back to press myself further towards him.

"Atta girl, Winnie..."

His breath was hot against the cheek of my ass and he continued his actions, placing a soft kiss on my skin. I was close, so close, but just not quite there until he did something that surprised me and sank his teeth into the spot his mouth was resting on. It wasn't enough to break the skin, but it was enough to leave a mark and it was definitely enough to send me over the edge. Moaning out his name again as I pressed back towards him, I felt myself quivering around his fingers as the pleasure tore through my body.

My elbows were quaking with effort as they tried to hold me up while he kept his fingers gently working until my orgasm came to an end. I wasn't sure how much more I could take, but I knew I wanted him inside me again so I shot him a look over my shoulder.

"Chris," I panted. "Fuck me, please."

His eyes darkened at my request, but he wasted no time, quickly shifting until he was positioned behind me and sliding himself back inside. He felt even bigger in our new position and his need was made clear as his hands settled on my hips to use them as leverage, thrusting into me at a much more frantic pace than he had before.

The stretch and feel of him deep inside me had me moaning and arching my back once again, but I was doubtful that I would reach another peak - until Chris slid one of his hands from my hip, over my stomach and back down to my clit. The sensation combined with his movements and all the noises pouring from his mouth had a tightness in my stomach forming again with shocking speed. It was just shy of overwhelming as my two previous orgasms had left me feeling rather sensitive already, but when Chris picked up the pace even more, his grunts and groans getting more desperate, I leaned into the sensation. It only took a minute or two more before he finally pressed himself deep inside me, stilling as he let out a low moan and I followed him over the edge once more.

After a few final thrusts through his release, Chris leaned forward to press his chest against my back. I could feel how hard he was breathing and soaked in the moment of bliss until my arms finally gave out underneath me. We landed in a heap face down on the bed, but Chris quickly rolled off of me before pulling me tight against his side.

"Wow," he breathed out. "Winnie, that was...wow."

I smiled as I rested my head on his chest.

"It was," I agreed. "I take back any doubts about your abilities."

He chuckled and placed a soft kiss on the top of my head.

"Thanks," he smiled as I peered up at him until he let a yawn slip out. "Mind if I stay here tonight?"

His question made my own smile widen even more.

"Of course not!"

He breathed out a sigh of relief at my words as I felt a wave of reassurance myself. He wanted to stay. He wasn't about to rush out the door the moment we were done and I filed that information away as more evidence that we were on the same page.

I felt like I should get up - to use the bathroom and offer my guest some water - but our activities had my whole body feeling like jelly. I was vaguely aware of a mumbled 'goodnight' from Chris, but I found myself drifting off to sleep before I could even respond.

-

The next morning as I slowly woke up, it took me a moment to remember why I was naked and why there was a pleasant, but very noticeable ache between my thighs. As the memory came back to me, a smile slid onto my face, but when I rolled over to find the bed empty, a flicker of worry sparked in the pit of my stomach. Especially when a glance at the clock told me that it was only seven in the morning. We couldn't have fallen asleep much before one so there was no good reason for him to be out of bed already.

I called out his name, hopeful that he would respond, but I wasn't entirely surprised when he didn't. The dread I was feeling intensified at the silence around me and I dragged myself out of bed with the intention of checking if he was in the bathroom or perhaps back out on the balcony. However, the sight of what was on the floor, or more accurately what wasn’t on the floor, made me pause. My dress and panties were laying where they'd been tossed, but his clothes were no where to be seen.

Trying to keep a level head, I quickly pulled on the oversized shirt that I usually slept in and ventured out of my bedroom, but my fears were quickly confirmed. My apartment was empty.

At first, I gave him the benefit of the doubt as I desperately tried to rationalize his disappearance. Maybe he woke up early and went out to get us breakfast and coffee? The dull throbbing in my head told me that I could certainly use a good shot of caffeine and it was a pretty safe bet that he was feeling the same. But, when he didn't return after half an hour, I assumed that theory was just an optimistic wish.

After forty-five minutes of sitting on my couch, watching the door - willing it to open and for Chris to appear - I sent him a text. I tried to keep it low key and chill, but after another hour of staring at my phone, the words "Hey, where'd you go?" started to seem more and more desperate.

By ten o'clock with no response and no sign of Chris returning, I accepted the situation for what it was.

He wasn't coming back.

It was a drunken mistake that he clearly regretted.

We'd risked our entire relationship for one night of wonderful, incredible, but meaningless sex and he didn't even have the guts to stick around long enough to talk to me about it.

One stupid night and I'd lost one of my best friends.

The thought brought tears to my eyes and, before I could stop myself, I was blubbering like a baby as I curled up on my couch. I was devastated and heartbroken. I'd let myself believe that maybe he wanted me the same way that I wanted him because we were so close and I never would have imagined that he would let it go that far just to ditch me in the morning without even a goodbye. Surely, after a year of such strong friendship, I deserved more than that.

But no matter how stupid and naive I felt in that moment, nothing would compare to the level of utter foolishness I felt later that day when I was tiding up and realized that there wasn't a condom in sight.

-

Part Two

Tags:  @maggotzombie @moonlacebeam @mizzzpink @zaylaugh @flowery-mess @flowerjewels @njrronaldo7 @hockeychick10 @partypoison00 @theladybiers @sidepieces

[stephspurs]

A Family Affair | Euro 2020 Football Fanfiction

Life is beautiful and life is cruel. A window into the souls of the victorious and the vanquished. In a way, football did come home during the summer of 2021. Follow along Amelia’s journey, navigating the football world as a tactical analyst for the italian football team, with a brother and father part of the three lions. Will Amelia leave Italy and come back to England? Will she leave the Serie A for the Prem? Will she set aside the bianconeri stripes for new colours, leaving behind friendship for love? Maybe she can have both...

EEEEEEK here's part two!!! Part two sees more of Amelia's beautiful brain, the love she has for her team, and her brother, & her friendship with Kyle Walker. Hope you guys love it as much as i do - please let me know what you think - i'd love to hear from you all!

Love always,

Steph xx

UPDATE as of 31/07: I've made some additional editing changes due to some feedback about the confusion between ben white (her brother) and ben chilwell (not her brother LOL). Nothing has been added to the story, just the addition of either surname has been added where i think it could be more straightforward - for future readers!

Part 2. | seconda parte

warnings; none - just a whole lot of feels.

word count; 1469

writing tools; third person until dashed line, first person thereafter.

next update; Wednesday 28/07 5pm AEST. Updates are twice weekly (Sunday & Wednesday)!

Tags (as requested by users); @footballffbarbiex

link to fic masterlist here

11 July 2021 | The Final Match.

The players for both national teams lined up side by side down the tunnel. Chiellini & Kane, both confident in their teams ability, captaining with great authority and mentorship for the ten men stood behind them. Amelia stood at the back of the tunnel, watching the scene ahead of her. Her dad, walking up the centre aisle between the two teams, shaking the hands of his players, confident in his preparation. A gentle hand to her brother's shoulder, saying everything it needs to say. It was the same hand that rubbed the back of her neck as he walked past, communicating the same thing. Go your hardest, you’re ready for this.

It was her turn, she started at the back of the line, and in true Italian style, a kiss was placed to both cheeks of every player up the line. When she reached Jorginho, a player she came to appreciate for his technical mindset and intellectual approach to the game, she kissed his cheek and turned to the player opposite him - her brother, who was trying his hardest to face forward and pay his little sister no mind. She knew what he was doing, but she wasn’t as heartless as the rest of the England squad probably perceived her to be. Reaching out, she rubbed her hand along the back of his neck, just as her father did to her, leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek, before continuing down the line of her players to the front. Shaking hands with Gareth Southgate, who no doubt had come to realise who the girl was in relation to his team, and a kiss to both cheeks of Mr Mancini, she walked out and took her place on the bench, ready for the game of her life.

120 minutes of football later.

Life is both beautiful and cruel. Whilst she hadn’t anticipated the early goal from Shaw, Amelia had predicted every play by the english and made sure her team was there waiting for them to turn and run. They knew to never let Harry Kane have the space to move the ball, to make sure Mason Mount was marked at all times and to pay attention to the silky smooth skills of Raheem Sterling. They knew that every player on the english side had the talent and skill to shoot and score, no matter if they're a striker or full back. In the end, the endless taunts from the british crowd and constant reminder of “it’s coming home” only fuelled the Italians further and pushed them harder, to their limits. Eventually both sides met with equal force and completed extra time at a draw, leading to penalties. All of Amelia’s preparation with Gianluigi Donnarumma would present itself now. She went over the preferred sides of the penalty takers she presumed would be stepping up for their country, and reminded him of all he has achieved & what there is still left to be done. After all, they are the masters of their own fate.

Donnarumma’s block of Bukayo Saka’s penalty rattled her bones and sent a chill down her spine. They had done it. The boys had finally brought football back to Rome for the first time since 1968, and while she can’t take all of the credit, she knows she single handedly played a part in this victory. As soon as happiness filled her body, guilt and sadness flooded her heart. She had been part of the problem that caused her brother so much pain. Her dad knew how to handle rejection, this wasn't his first rodeo, and could see with an open mind just how they had managed to achieve greatness. But her brother had truly believed they had it, that football was coming home to England.

After being surrounded by her boys, cheering and hugging her, screaming in relief that they had done it, Amelia took a step back and took a deep breath in. Looking over to the players in white consoling each other with looks of understanding and pats on the back, hugging those with the unfortunate fate of missing their penalties, she found her brother.

_____________________________________________________________

Squatting down with his elbows resting on his knees and hands covering part of his face, his eyes showing disbelief that the moment had escaped them. Jordan Henderson, the figurative big brother to my big brother, leaning down whispering what one can only assume is words of encouragement and strength to him. A voice to my right startles me, not because I wasn't used to the noise, but because it was a voice I haven't heard directed at me with anything other than venom in a very long time.

“He wants you to be there for him, don’t ever think for a second that he doesn’t want you around.” Kyle Walker speaks into the open, whilst looking around at the fans still in the stadium. The fans behind us right now would be watching with speculation, wondering why the english player is talking to an italian so soon after defeat.

“I don’t think he doesn’t want me around, i just don’t think he wants me around right now” I spoke back, trying to reason with myself and Kyle as to why i haven't gone up and offered my condolences to my brother.

“I think the only thing that can pull him out of this is you. He was beating himself up last night after your argument, and while he turned it into motivation for today, it's still weighing on his conscience. He’s happy for you, we aren't that mean so as to deny him the pleasure of being proud of his little sister...even if she is working for the enemy”

“You’ve always been one to be the voice of reason, whilst still being the clown I grew up to know and love”

“Does this mean we’re friends again? I’m sorry about last night” Kyle admitted.

“Last night wasn’t what ended our friendship...we stopped being friends the day you left Spurs.” I joked back to Kyle. I turned to look at his over-expressed shocked face and walked backwards a few steps while giggling, before turning and sauntering over to my brother who was now surrounded by some more teammates. Upon seeing me and noticing my solemn expression, finding comfort in the fact that I wasn't there to rub my win in their faces, the boys left my brother to himself.

I stood there, staring into the eyes of my brother, who after a few minutes reached out and pulled me into him as though I was a life raft and he was stranded in the ocean. We stood there, hugging, saying everything we needed to say through the way we were gripping to the backs of each other's team colours.

“I am so proud of you, you put up one hell of a fight Ben. Certainly made my job harder” I spoke into his shirt. He was the taller of the two, but I wasn't that short. Almost immediately after, I felt him push more weight onto me and sink a bit lower so he was in my neck, shedding a few tears he didn't want seen by those around us. Not even 5 seconds later, he stood up straight, wiping his eyes and offering me a smile.

“God, I wish you weren’t better at your job than I am at mine” he joked back to me. I smiled up at him, shaking my head.

“I would say you’re wrong but the medal that's about to be around my neck would say otherwise” i joke back with him. I was not about to dull my sparkle for someone else's sun to shine, whether he is my brother or not.

“We have to talk about everything that went down last night but i’ll let you enjoy your night with your team” Ben says as we turn and begin to walk toward the stage being set up for the ceremony.

“Thanks Ben, family dinner on Sunday? Tell your friends to come, you and i both know mum will have enough food to feed everyone without even trying”

“Of course, I'll put it in the lads chat & see who’s still around. Kyle will see it in our family chat - who even put him in there anyway!?”

“Honestly...I think it was mum. You know she loves her son, Kyle.”

As I walk back to my team, and into the arms of Fede and Jorginho who wrap me up in an Italian flag and start jumping around, I can't help but smile and laugh at my amazing life. Who knows what the future has to hold, but for tonight, the azzurri are the champions of europe and the trophy is coming home, to Rome.

Part 3. | parte terza

[wickedpact]

Crim pls do a J/N fic rec post at some point in the future I trust you more than I trust myself looking rouge through AO3

im kinda eh abt the concept of fic recs myself just bc the whole 'Different Strokes For Different Folks' thing (idk how many times someone i liked in a fandom made a fic rec list and i ended up not liking anything they posted). plus i have weirdly specific tastes and i.. .. honestly havent read a ton of joenicky fic! (i have a FAT to-read list) but ive been asked this a couple times now so i will slap together a couple joenicky fics i like (not comprehensive, i only spent like 15 minutes making this. also not in any particular order.)

Kiss Each Other Clean by moodlighting

i like this whole fic, but the last 6 or so paragraphs in particular SEND ME TO SPACE, i love cuddling. also [joe voice] nickel neekee

what you seek is seeking you by bankrobbery

i actually recced this one once before. idk its cute i just Like It. (also nicky pretending not to know english bc a customer is pissing him off is Very Funny and i love it)

with every inch of my heart by smilebackwards

i like this one a lot, i think nickys pov should Always be this tender. i dont like miscommunication trope much, (esp with joenicky) but i do like this fic-- the miscommunication in question is far-fetched but its joenicky so of course it is. just enjoy the Angst™

i love michelangelo seeing nicky all dirty and bloody after a fight and being like 'DAMN this bitch is fine' (same). (AND the fact that nicky only agrees to travel with him in the name of wasting the pope's money lmao). the fact that joe and nicky broke up But They Still Snuggle. nile knowing like 2 things about joe and nicky's breakup & pretty much immediately taking nicky's side. joe looking at the creation of adam and bein like 'EH'.

nicky carrying around his little joe drawing? nicky carrying around a spare toothbrush for booker? nicky telling little children stories about a princess locked in a coffin under the sea? ('perhaps someday, if an iron coffin is caught in a net or washed up onto the shore, they’ll remember the princess, a victim and not a monster' EXCUSE ME)

(also 'I have drawn you a thousand times since we parted. I sculpted your likeness, just so that I could pretend to cup your cheek. You are so much warmer than marble, hayati.' R O M A N C E)

Pas Un Ange by inlovewithnight

there are a lot of fics i love in a way thats like 'this fic is fun but it doesnt feel like something that would happen in the Actual Canon' (which is fine!) but this one Does feel like it could happen in The Actual Canon which is cool

this fic also has probably my favorite depiction of nicky's relationship with god/religion in any fic ive read ('[nicky's] peace had come only after walking away from faith as a competition of intensity in favor of faith as a steady compass that he followed like the beat of his heart in his chest.'). i love the whole Drama played out by the background characters and how they all have their own ideas and motivations & nicky is just kind of resigned to being caught in the middle of it.

(also love how near the beginning joe's like 'the Right thing to do in the situation would be stay at this river and help these people.... ... ....... ... .... ... anyways see ya guys later gotta go find nicky'.)

also joe chatting up a pig and the five minutes later chatting up some goats was so cute. & nicky trying to tell the baby's mother how to save it!!!! </3 AND THEY ARGUE ABOUT CHARITY on the way home (not before joe injects a comment abt nickys ass into regular conversation bc Romance™) its a bit of a sad fic tho, that poor baby 🥺

Intercession by PrincessDesire

can i interest you in some Swamp Man Nicky in this trying time?

someone recced this fic to me and i dont remember who. but note that the major character death tag is not, in fact, for a major character but for a background one. neither joe or nicky perma!die in this. also normally i dont like fics where joe or nicky are bi bc Thats Not Canon Babey but i do like this one, i love joe's relationship with Grace and how nicky's perception of that relationship gets flipped on its head halfway thru the fic. i also love joe's Weariness Of Immortality, like when joe talks about how 'youthful' nicky makes him feel. his pov just kind of Feels like an old man and i like it

theres a smut scene in this fic which im personally not big on smut scenes but theres this bit where joe tries to figure out condoms and its very cute. also 'You have many kinds of magic, Nicky. All your spells have worked.' ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°).

also i just like how WHIPPED joe is from like the first 3 seconds he sees nicky. theres one bit where nicky's like 'ill come visit you!' and joe's like 'when🥺' and nicky's like 'as soon as you like!' and joes like 'now?????🥺🥺🥺 literally come home with me???' incredible.

also the Magic System was cool. i also love how nicky just Accidentally made himself immortal. what a man. also i like this line 'it would never occur to [nicky] to attend any service that wasn’t going to have a direct outcome. Grace takes comfort from it, so maybe that’s the only outcome needed.' idk its so sweet

edit: also i cant believe i forgot the iconic line 'Yusuf is a man of two minds, one large and underutilized, the other small and underutilized.' absolutely iconic & relatable

[itsbenedict]

I just finished hosting a 15-person game of Mafia for some friends. One tradition we have for these games is that every death is accompanied by some themed narration, so for my game I opted to spice it up with some art on top. Had to draw it real quick since I didn't know for sure who was going to die next until it happened.

The game's theme was "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure", with the hidden subtheme that all the roles (stands) were named after They Might Be Giants (@tmbgareok) songs! A list of their powers, links to songs, and a recap of the game under the cut.

01) Mogis - 「Flo Wheeler」

02) TD260 - 「Working Undercover For The Man」

03) JGH27 - 「Good To Be Alive」

04) Raya - 「Stone Cold Coup D'Etat」

05) KK / Sahrimnir - 「Thinking Machine」

06) Spontaneous Combustion - 「The Statue Got Me High」

07) Leviwulf - 「Push Back The Hands」

08) DarkFalco - 「I Am Alone」

09) Deli064 - 「Doctor Worm」

10) Fedaykin - 「Letterbox」

11) Surge - 「I Am Alone」

12) Wikxen - 「Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head」

13) Minby - 「Where Your Eyes Don't Go」

14) Bel - 「(She Was A) Hotel Detective」

15) SnakeInABox - 「By The Time You Get This」

Bold roles were Jotunheim (Mafia), normal roles were Johnsburg (Town), and italicized roles were third parties. (Jotunheim is the realm of giants from Norse mythology! The mafia were, in fact, giants! And the town's job was to figure out who might be giants! And the two sides were Jo and Jo! JOKES!)

「Flo Wheeler」 was a town role with a power that was pretty dangerous to the user- if anyone happened to be watching or tracking when a kill took place at night, Mogis would look like they'd visited the target that night in addition to whoever actually did. It could potentially be used to catch a mafioso in a lie, but otherwise it was more of an obstacle for the town to overcome- a miller-type role.

♪ You can't do the time, therefore you didn't do the crime ♪

「Working Undercover For The Man」 was a third-party role working for the Speedwagon Foundation to perform a threat assessment. TD could win with the town, but could win and leave early if he could guess all the names or powers of every other stand in the game. He could scan a name every night, to help that along.

♪ Planning midnight raids / On our unsuspecting fans / While the roadies rig / The video surveillance van ♪

「Good To Be Alive」 was a spin on the usual town doctor role- normally, a doctor can target a player and prevent their death if they would die that night. But... JGH couldn't actually prevent deaths- just fake it. The dead would become ghosts, who couldn't vote and couldn't be killed but were still allowed to talk as if they were alive.

♪ Hello leg / such a shaky leg / Just barely more than decoration ♪

「Stone Cold Coup D'Etat」 was a third party with an unusual win condition. They had to recruit a certain number of people to a private side-chat- and then make sure all those people got killed. Plus, she could redirect anything that happened to her at night to her recruits. If the recruits figured out what she was doing and got rid of her, they'd get a boost to their power.

♪ The bark now commands the trees / The queen is overruled by the bees ♪

「Thinking Machine」 was a town role with a mysterious purpose that didn't seem to make much sense at first. Sah would get, every morning, a strange series of numbers and letters of uncertain origin. It was information, somehow, but how to use it?

♪ Tape has brightening arm connect (Wait, that didn't make sense.) / Self-paint lever itching does! (That made even less sense!) ♪

「The Statue Got Me High」 was a mafia power. As the song describes, the victim is enthralled by the monolith and forced to obey its commands, until their eventual death. That is, Spont could recruit a player to the mafia, but they'd die one night later- and if he wasn't careful, he could die and his recruit would flip back.

♪ And now it is your turn (your turn to hear the stone and then your turn to burn) / The stone, it calls to you (you can't refuse to do the things it tells you to) ♪

「Push Back The Hands」 was a passive ability that caused anything that would happen to Levi- a nightkill, an execution, some other power- to be delayed by one day, giving him some time to react. He'd be told who it was that targeted him, so going after him as mafia was risky.

♪ Screeching tires but never a collision / Endless day without a sunset provision ♪

「I Am Alone」 was a weird one. See, DarkFalco, who was mafia, didn't have a stand as such. She was the stand- and she was the stand of Surge, who was town. They were linked together in everything, meaning the mafia had to work to keep Surge alive on top of their own people. She could send messages to Surge at night to mess with him, though.

♪ Before you fire I should inform you / One of us is a double ♪

「Doctor Worm」 had no real special abilities. His ability was to be pretty good at playing the drums, a power that had absolutely no relevance in a game of Mafia.

♪ I'm not a real doctor, but I am a real worm I am an actual worm ♪

「Letterbox」 was a mafia ability that let Fedaykin pick another player, and offer that player a chance to deliver a private message to one other player of their choice. He could see the "secret" communications, though, and once per game he could edit the message before delivering it.

♪ I'll never know what you'll find when you open up your letter box tomorrow ♪

「Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head」 is a classically mafia ability, but in the hands of a town player: the ability to force another player to vote for another. Normally the manipulated person isn't allowed to say what happened, but there was no such restriction here- confusion's no good for the town.

♪ Memo to myself: do the dumb things i gotta do: Touch the puppet head ♪

「Where Your Eyes Don't Go」 let Minby pick someone else to watch him at night. If anyone visited him to target him with an ability, the person he designated would be told the names of those people. A nasty trap for the mafia, as long as Minby doesn't pick a mafioso to share the information with.

♪ Where your eyes don't go, a part of you is hovering / It's a nightmare that you'll never be discovering / You're free to come and go / Or talk like Kurtis Blow / But there's a pair of eyes in back of your head ♪

「(She Was A) Hotel Detective」 was a very powerful town role- Bel was the cop, and could scan another player's alignment at night, plus track or watch them. Except... not directly. She couldn't scan players- she could scan hotel rooms, and if other players didn't check into the hotel at night or give up their room numbers, her information was useless.

Here are the room numbers, in order: Levi (1) Snake (2) JGH (3) TD (4) Spont (5) Sah (6) Deli (7) Fed (8) Minby (9) Falco/Surge (10) Raya (11) Wikxen (12) Mogis (13).

(Oh, and Thinking Machine's codes were actually encoded versions of her results, and Sah would get a weaker version of her power if she ever died.)

♪ She's got her ear to the walls / And she's tappin' the calls / If you've got a secret, boy / Forget about it! ♪

「By The Time You Get This」 imbued its wielder with the incredible powers of... an estate lawyer! Which meant Snake could leave a will behind when he died, naming another player and casting a vote on them from beyond the grave the next day.

♪ By the time you get this note / We'll no longer be alive / But our skulls are smiling still / At the thought of things to come ♪

So! Here's how it all shook out.

Day 1: The first day is always kind of a tossup, since no one has any information yet, and everyone's just trying to verbally stir the pot. Levi soft-claims his role right out the gate, warning town not to try targeting him or else. Mogis is executed, casting a vote on himself to save the town the trouble of dealing with Flo Wheeler.

Night 1: Spont uses the statue to recruit Wikxen, at the same time that Wikxen forces Snake to vote for Levi. So, now the usually-scum power in the hands of town is in the hands of scum for real. Bel scans room 3, and learns that its occupant is innocent. Raya recruits DarkFalco, and accidentally recruits Surge alongside her, to her surprise. JGH tries protecting Levi, to test if his claim was a bluff.

Day 2: Levi tries to push JGH on the basis of having targeted him last night, but everyone agrees to wait and see if Levi actually dies first. Votes circle around Wikxen and Raya for suspicious-seeming defensiveness on Day 1, and ultimately, when it seems like Wikxen's about to be executed, a small group of players flip their votes at the last minute and vote Raya out while she's asleep and can't defend herself. Rude! She was poised to win the game for herself and the town, since she'd convinced Falco that the mafia would benefit somehow if they were all recruited.

Night 2: The mafia kills Minby- and Minby opts to tell have Fed watch him, wasting his power. Lucky for town, though, Bel happens to scan room 8, confirming Fed is mafia since he volunteered his room number. Wikxen's coat contains a furnace where there used to be a guy.

Day 3: Wikxen forced Snake to vote for J, making him look bad- but Sah begins sharing his bizarre results from Thinking Machine, and Bel confirms that they're a log of her detective power. Then she points out that Fed is mafia, and the town falls in line behind the accusation with Sah to confirm.

Night 3: Spont uses the statue to recruit Bel, to keep any more problematic scans from ruining them. Bel, before being recruited, scans room 10, though- and now the town knows there's something funky with Falco and Surge, because Sah gets the results and knows what they mean. Due to their mismatched alignments, though, the encoded version is still misleading, so there's wiggle room. TD scans Spont and learns his role name.

Day 4: Spont concocts a daring scheme. He has Bel lie and claim to have received an incriminating result on him- so that Bel will be caught in said lie when Sah produces his own results. The plan is to frame Bel, who's a dead girl walking anyway, and clear Spont's name going forward. But the town talks themselves into explaining away the contradiction- even when TD reveals Spont's stand name, and Spont denies it outright and claims 「Combustible Head」, a fake vigilante (town nightkiller) role instead, the town explains away that, too. After a few more people claim, TD260 has completed his mission- his correct guess wins him the game and he leaves. Spont cleverly excuses himself by claiming that TD lied about his role to get him to claim his "real" one. Afterwards, the town ends up executing Deli064 instead, for some reason- poor Doctor Worm!

Night 4: The evidence vanishes from Bel's charred and smoking chair- because JGH tries to protect her at the same time the mafia are killing him! Bel is a ghost now, and the town never finds out her alignment.

Day 5: Bel not dying poses a problem for the mafia, because Spont was supposed to prove his own innocence by pretending to kill her! The mafia tries to misdirect by having Bel lie again, claiming to scan room 10 when she actually scanned room 6, Sah. Ultimately, though, the town is able to coordinate behind killing Surge and Falco, which- because they're linked- is a compromise option that both parties are happy with (when perhaps they shouldn't be).

Night 5: Since Bel is technically dead, Spont recruits again, grabbing Sah and removing the threat of scans entirely. If he'd recruited Snake instead, they'd have won on the spot, since only his will-vote prevented them from winning instantly due to outnumbering the town. We move on to a somewhat redundant...

Day 6: It's now down to five players- Spont, Sah, and Bel vs Levi and Snake. The mafia technically outnumber the town, but Bel's vote doesn't count, and Sah's going to burn the next night- so the town can still win by forcing a tie and then using Snake's By The Time You Get This power to place a vote on Spont. But that's if they can figure it out and get on the same page, and... they don't. There's no way there could be three mafia still alive, so the mafia are able to sow total confusion and ultimately get the town all voting for Bel... who's a ghost, and can't vote or be executed, which the town doesn't know because JGH died before he could fully explain. The execution defaults to Snake, and the mafia win the game.

[wristpockets]

Can I throw some prompts at you? All fluffy but with potential for Deep Emotional Talks™ if that's what you're after. Anyway: 1. Essek and jester trying to cook/ bake for the first time (two rich kids who have never been in a kitchen while food has been made) lots of potential for comedy but also ways to explore the differences and similarities in their childhoods?? 2. Caleb and Essek teaching each other dances from their homelands, (I feel like Essek probably had to learn formal dances in his youth and absolutely despised them until he realized that dancing with someone you actually like can be fun) Anyhow, happy writing!

Thanks for the suggestions! Going with the first one!

(If anyone else has any fic prompts/ideas/requests feel free to send them my way!)

This kind of got away from me 😅 Ended up a lot longer than expected. Not going to spend too much time proofreading or editing bc this was supposed to be fun. Anyway

Essek is leaning over the railing on the Nein Heroez, a glass of wine in his hand. He can hear the party going on behind him - the rest of the Nein get together every month for dinner - but he needed to get away for a moment. He watches the moonlight reflect off the waves as he swirls the wine in his glass.

He doesn't notice Jester until she's right next to him.

"What's wrong, Essek?" she asks, her voice laden with sincerity and sympathy.

He sighs, takes a long sip of his wine, and says, "I feel inadequate."

"Oh no Essek," Jester says. She moves closer, until she can bump her hip against his. "You're so powerful. And!" She lowers her voice conspiratorially, "I saw the way you floated in Cognouza. You were faster than Caleb, which I think means you're even smarter than he is."

Essek actually smiles at that. Lets out a little laugh. "You're not wrong. But I'm not concerned with my power or intelligence."

"Then how do you think you're inadequate? In what way? Is it-" Jester cuts herself off, looking over at him while wiggling her eyebrows.

"No," he says quickly, his ears heating up. "Everyone else is so..." He looks for the word and comes up blank. "Caleb and I see Beauregard and Yasha for dinner quite often. Yasha will have freshly baked bread, or even cake. Beauregard works all day, and Yasha stays home and cooks."

"I think she's happy though," Jester says.

"I think so too," Essek says quickly. "Caleb works all day too, and I stay home and do nothing." He lets out a little laugh. "I cannot believe this is my problem. Feeling bad that I cannot cook dinner while my - while Caleb is working."

Jester's eyes light up. "Okay," she says. "Okay okay. For our next get together, we're making dessert. Me and you."

Beauregard and Yasha are hosting the next meetup. Essek had collected Jester, Fjord and Kingsley early that morning, to give Jester and Essek time to make dessert.

They sent Caleb and Fjord out of the house and set to work in Caleb's kitchen.

But when Essek takes the third batch of cupcakes out of the oven - burned on the outside, somehow raw inside - he's ready to give up.

"I don't understand what I'm doing wrong," Essek says quietly. He floats there, uselessly, staring at another failed attempt at a fairly simple baked good. "Is this how you normally make them?"

"Hmm?" Jester says, looking over at him. She dips her finger into the frosting she'd been working on. "I've never made cupcakes before."

Essek turns toward her. "What? You've never-"

"Nope," Jester says, matter-of-factly. She puts the icing-covered finger in her mouth, tasting the frosting, before scrunching up her nose. "This is awful."

Essek deflates a little. "So we are currently lacking both edible cupcakes and edible icing."

Even Jester's smile falls. "I'm sorry, Essek."

"It's not your fault," Essek says. "We still have some ingredients - what do you know how to make? What could we make quickly that's simpler?"

Jester looks down at the floor. "I don't know."

"Anything," Essek pleads. "Anything you've baked successfully-"

"I've never baked anything," Jester admits quietly.

"Oh," Essek says.

"Yeah."

Jester turns so her back is to the counter, then slides down, sitting on the floor. "I know how you feel. I feel like I should know how to do this."

Essek floats over, then sits down next to her. He can't bear the look on her face. "Two powerful adventurers, brought low by mere cupcakes," he jokes.

"I wanted to do this," Jester says, still quiet. "I wanted to bake something for everyone, something delicious! Something everyone would eat and say, 'oh Jester, your baking is so delicious,' and then maybe I'm not just the girl who draws dicks on things."

"You're a lot more than that," Essek tries.

Jester nods. "I know. I just feel bad."

"I feel that way too," Essek says. "All this power and knowledge and ability - for what? What good is it doing me here, now? And I know it's not an either-or thing. Caleb cooks. Even Beauregard does sometimes. I've never so much as fried an egg."

"Neither have I," Jester admits. "When I lived at home..."

"I understand," Essek says, and he knows he does.

"It's just embarrassing," Jester says.

"Yes," Essek agrees.

They sit like that for a moment, until they hear the front door open.

"Essek? Jester?" Caleb calls from the entryway. "Am I allowed in the kitchen yet?"

"Not yet!" Jester yells. "Almost done! Fifteen minutes!"

Essek looks at her in shock, and she just shrugs her shoulders.

"I do not possess the arcane ability to create cupcakes," Essek says blankly. "And I am unsure of how else we might make a dessert in that time."

"I panicked," Jester says apologetically. "Maybe some of the cupcakes aren't so bad-"

"They are," Essek says as Jester leans over batch number two, tearing off a piece of cupcake and trying it cautiously. After a few bites she scrunches her nose, then spits it out into the garbage.

"It looked good," Jester pouts. "I can't believe cupcakes would lie to me."

Something connects and Essek can feel his eyes widen. "I have an idea."

Several hours later, Jester and Essek are ready to present their cupcakes to the rest of the Nein. At the very least, they look nice - frosting is apparently close enough to painting for Jester to have some skill at it.

"These look delicious," Caleb says, smiling up at Essek. The compliment in front of their friends makes Essek's cheeks heat up, and he's grateful his complexion doesn't let it show.

"I might need to get some pointers from you," Yasha says as she carefully peels off the cupcake wrapper. "I wish I could frost like this."

"Don't eat that!" Beau shouts, quickly leaning over to slap it out of her hand.

Everyone stops to stare at Beauregard, Yasha's mouth still open, the cupcake discarded on the floor.

"What's wrong, Beauregard?" Essek asks nervously.

"They've been tampered with," she says. She picks up Yasha's dinner plate. "These plates are enchanted. They change colour if any of the food on it is fucked with. A few crumbs fell off of it." She points to a few speckles of bright purple on the plate. "I watched the plate react to the crumbs."

"Tampered with?" Fjord asks. "Tampered how?"

"I don't fucking know, man," Beau says. "It doesn't like, tell me."

"Um," Essek says carefully. "Would a magical alteration to the dish set off that reaction?"

"I should fucking hope so," Beau says, "since that's the whole point."

"In that case," Essek says, shooting Jester a worried look, "then yes, they were tampered with. But they will not harm you."

"Essek," Caleb says, looking at him worriedly.

"It's just prestidigitation," Essek says hurriedly. "We used it to flavour the cupcakes and the frosting." He takes a bite of his own cupcake. "See? They're safe."

"But why?" Veth asks. "Surely it can't be any worse than that fish stew Fjord made us all eat last time."

Essek looks at Jester again, who looks resigned. He waves his hand, dismissing the spell. "See for yourself."

Caleb is the first one that takes Essek up on that, tearing off a piece with his fingers and tasting it. Essek can see Caleb trying very hard to keep his expression neutral. He eventually - with some difficulty - swallows the bite of cupcake. "Ja," he says, eventually. "It's not that bad." He offers Essek a warm smile.

"Well that's obviously a lie," Veth says, pushing her plate a few inches away from her.

"Sorry guys," Jester says. She's looking down at the table and looks absolutely lost. "We just wanted to make something nice."

"Have either of you ever baked anything, ever?" Veth asks, picking up a tiny piece of the cupcake and trying it. "This is awful. I love you Jessie, but who taught you to bake?"

Jester looks too crestfallen to answer. "Both of us are, ah, new to this," Essek admits instead.

"Maybe cooking lessons are in order," Fjord says. "I used to cook on the ship, back when I was getting started. I could show you a few things, Jester."

Jester nods, still looking down at the table.

"And I could teach you," Caleb says to Essek.

"That would be appreciated," Essek says.

"Okay," Jester says. She sighs, then looks up at everyone. Forces a smile. "Okay. Me and Essek are going to learn how to cook, and then we'll make something for next time."

"Maybe not cupcakes," Beau says.

"Maybe nothing for anyone who complains about my baking again," Jester retorts.

"There are some desserts from Rosohna I'd like to recreate, if possible," Essek says. "If I can find a recipe."

"That sounds nice," Caduceus says.

"I am not much for sweets, but I do like some of the ones in Rosohna," he continues. "They're, ah, made with cinnamon. I don't think they do that here in the Empire."

"They don't!" Jester almost yells, smiling. "I know! It's crazy!"